AI-powered coding vibe trend: Technical barriers removed and new challenges for the App Store.

Software programming is undergoing a major turning point with the emergence of "vibe coding"—a software development model that controls artificial intelligence (AI) through natural language. Instead of mastering complex programming languages ​​like Swift or Objective-C, users simply describe their ideas and functional requirements, and the AI ​​system automatically generates source code, refines the interface, and packages the application.

The operating mechanism of vibe coding and its commercialization potential.

Vibe coding is based on large, specialized programming language models such as Claude Code, Codex, or integrated development environments like Replit. Users act as product architects, giving commands through natural-sounding dialogues for the AI ​​to write code, debug, and optimize performance.

This process shortens software development time from months to just weeks, or even days. The story of Marco Perez, a 27-year-old engineer living in Chicago, is a clear example. Despite having no prior experience in mobile application development, Perez used AI to launch the news aggregation app InfoDrizzle in 7 weeks, garnering over 1,300 downloads and $500 in profit. He then developed the photo-to-digital stamp app Stampa in just one week, achieving 20,000 downloads and $3,000 in profit, before deciding to leave his job at JPMorgan Chase to focus on app development full-time.

Apple's pressure to scale and its content moderation challenges.

Lowering technical barriers has led to an explosion in the number of apps on app stores. Data from Sensor Tower shows that last year, approximately 600,000 new apps were released on the App Store, a 30% increase year-on-year. In the first half of this year, that number exceeded 560,000, with 235,800 new registrations recorded in the first quarter alone, representing an 84% increase year-on-year.

However, the surge in the number of products has not been accompanied by a corresponding increase in user demand, with system-wide downloads only increasing by about 2-3%. This leads to the risk of an oversupply of low-quality applications, duplicate content, or a lack of genuine innovation.

Solutions to tighten regulations and address strategic risks.

The surge in AI-powered applications is putting unprecedented pressure on Apple's review system. Approval times for new apps have increased from an average of 48 hours to nearly a month. To manage the situation, Apple has begun implementing stricter measures, such as blocking updates or removing apps capable of executing direct code, to prevent software from unilaterally changing functionality after approval.

However, strict censorship policies also pose risks for Apple. Overly rigid regulations could push some developers to shift towards building web applications or exploring installation channels outside the App Store. Furthermore, this increases the risk of Apple facing antitrust disputes in the European market.