“死了么”App更名，有开发者用AI 6小时做出“活着么”

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rapid rise and subsequent rebranding of the safety app "死了么" (translated as "Are You Dead?") to "Demumu," highlighting its explosive popularity and the controversies surrounding it, including accusations of plagiarism and the emergence of similar apps [2][15][16]. Group 1: App Popularity and User Growth - The app "死了么" gained significant traction, ranking first in the paid category on the Apple App Store for four consecutive days starting January 10, with daily new user registrations increasing to 500 times the pre-viral rate [2][15]. - Within three days, over 60 investors expressed interest, raising the app's valuation to several tens of millions [2][15]. - The app's initial development cost was under 1500 yuan, and it transitioned from a free to a paid model, increasing the price from 1 yuan to 8 yuan after its popularity surged [8][15]. Group 2: Development and Technology - The app was developed by a team of three individuals born in the 1990s, utilizing AI tools like Google's Gemini to create a similar app called "活着么" (translated as "Are You Alive?") in just six hours [7][9][11]. - The developer of "活着么" noted that the technical barriers for creating such apps are low, making them easy to replicate [3][4]. - AI played a crucial role in the development process, allowing for rapid project completion and serving multiple roles, including programmer and product manager [11][12]. Group 3: Market Challenges and Future Outlook - Despite the initial success, the developer expressed skepticism about the long-term viability of such apps, citing limited core value and the likelihood of user attrition [13][14]. - The target demographic for "死了么" primarily includes young adults aged 25 to 35 in first- and second-tier cities, with the app's appeal being more entertainment-oriented rather than a serious safety solution [14][15]. - The article emphasizes the need for apps to find unique features that foster emotional connections with users to extend their lifecycle beyond initial popularity [13][14].