According to the latest analysis conducted by market research firm Appfigures, in the first quarter of 2026, the number of new apps globally launched on Apple's App Store and Google Play witnessed an approximate 60% year-on-year increase. Notably, Apple's App Store experienced an extraordinary 84% spike, reaching a total of 235,800 apps. This growth continues the robust rebound momentum that has been evident since 2025. The primary driver behind this surge is the widespread adoption of AI-assisted programming tools, exemplified by Anthropic's Claude Code and OpenAI's Codex. These innovative tools have significantly lowered the barriers to app development, empowering non-professional programmers to create functional applications simply through text prompts. Simultaneously, they have substantially boosted the programming efficiency of professional developers. Despite the proliferation of new apps, a concurrent enhancement in app quality has presented a new challenge. Both developers and consumers are increasingly concerned about the influx of low-quality apps into the App Store.