In the tech realm, Google is no stranger to frequently tweaking or even axing services. Yet, this time, it has elevated this approach to a whole new echelon—by directly pulling the plug on an AI app that hadn't even seen an official launch. In May 2026, Google made a big splash at its I/O conference, announcing that the standalone AI Studio mobile app was up for pre-registration. This app was designed to support both Android and iOS platforms, enabling users to go through the entire app-building journey—from initial prompts to final production—right on their phones. In a mere two months, the app racked up 800,000 pre-orders across 168 countries and regions. However, Google decided to scrap its release and, instead, fold its core features directly into the Gemini app, which already boasts 900 million monthly active users. The product lead for Google AI Studio explained that the decision was made to spare users the hassle of downloading multiple apps, allowing them to seamlessly build apps through everyday chats within Gemini. While this move has rubbed some pre-registrants the wrong way, it's in line with Google's strategic push to consolidate AI capabilities into its core platforms.