TechCrunch Daily Crunch App downloads declined again in 2025, consumer spending soared
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Jan 15, 2026 Interesting tech trends are dissected, highlighting how app downloads took a hit while consumer spending surged, especially in subscriptions. Google has fresh updates for its Trends Explorer with Gemini features for better insights. Meanwhile, Meta is making headlines with plans to cut 10% of its Reality Labs workforce. The discussion also emphasizes a shift from games to non-game app revenue, showcasing changes in user spending patterns and download trends since the pandemic.
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Gemini Powers Google Trends Explorer
- Google rolled Gemini into Trends Explorer to auto-identify and compare trends and reduce manual research time.
- The update adds suggested Gemini prompts and expands term comparison and rising query counts.
Meta Trims Reality Labs, Focuses On AR And AI
- Meta is cutting about 10% of Reality Labs staff and will close several VR studios while preserving AR efforts.
- The savings will reallocate to AR and AI ambitions as Meta pivots resources.
Spending Rises As Downloads Fall
- App downloads fell for the fifth straight year while consumer spending surged by over 21% in 2025.
- This shows developers monetized existing users better through in-app purchases and subscriptions.