Gizmo hits 600,000 installs as AI-generated content meets interactive media in viral new app

Meet Gizmo: a TikTok for interactive, vibe-coded mini apps

Gizmo, a TikTok-like app for vibe-coded mini applications, is offering a new way to create interactive media. The relatively new mobile app from the startup Atma Sciences lets anyone create experiences using text, photos, sound, and touch, which are then displayed in a vertical feed, similar to TikTok or Reels. But unlike traditional short-form video apps, you don't just watch and scroll in Gizmo -- you play. Depending on the type of "Gizmo" you encounter, you might poke the screen, swipe, tap, draw, drag, and more to interact with the mini app. These Gizmos aren't just games but are more like digital toys -- things that could include interactive puzzles, memes, art, animation, or anything else a creator can dream up. The result is an engaging, playful feed, where you can like and comment on the tiny creations and even remix existing Gizmos to create your own version, if you choose. What's more, you don't need to know how to code or even vibe code to get started. Instead, you can simply type out an AI prompt to explain your idea using natural language. The app then leverages AI coding technology to turn your idea into an interactive experience by generating the code that makes it work. As part of this process, Gizmo will also render your idea visually to ensure that each app functions properly and runs smoothly. Apps are also vetted using AI and human moderation to ensure user safety, a company FAQ notes. Gizmo hails from a New York-based startup called Atma Sciences, co-founded by Rudd Fawcett and Brandon Francis, along with CEO Josh Siegel and CTO Daniel Amitay. The company last year raised a $5.49 million seed round from First Round Capital and others, according to data from PitchBook. On the company's website (which is also silly and interactive), the team explains their focus is on combining "powerful technology with simple, elegant foundations," starting with their creativity app, Gizmo. None of the company's founders responded to requests for an interview when TechCrunch reached out, through multiple emails, requests to investors, and via LinkedIn. We were told by one investor that the team isn't yet ready to do press. (Sorry!) TechCrunch was drawn to Gizmo because of the app's potential for growth and its unique approach to the vibe coding space (and a rare recommendation from my teen). The company is envisioning a world where anyone can create apps for fun, not just for a purpose, as with other vibe coding app platforms for micro apps, like Anything, and others. Despite being relatively new, Gizmo's feed isn't repetitive. It's filled with creative mini apps, leading to an experience that feels somewhat like a mash-up between TikTok and the interactive 3D space designer, Rooms. But while Rooms introduced the programming language Lua to those who wanted more advanced controls over their creations, Gizmo keeps things prompt-based and simple. The app is incredibly easy to use. You simply type out your prompt and then see how it turns out, and then modify as needed. In one test, the AI quickly coded a mini quiz, but we had to instruct it to edit the title, which was cut off at the top of the screen. The resulting creation can be shared to the app's feed, messaged to a friend, or posted to social media using a unique URL. According to data from market intelligence firm Appfigures, Gizmo has roughly 600,000 installs, with around half coming from the U.S., after being introduced with little fanfare less than six months ago. Around 235,000 of its downloads came in December alone, representing 39% of its total count. Gizmo's growth from October to December was 312%, with December installs up 50% month-over-month and November installs up 180% from October. The app is available on both iOS and Android.

This app wants you to doomscroll interactive media instead of viral videos

Gizmo's TikTok-style feed is built around vibe-coded mini apps generated using AI. New York-based startup Atma Sciences is rethinking doomscrolling with a new app called Gizmo that swaps viral videos for a TikTok-style feed of interactive, vibe-coded mini apps. Instead of passively watching short clips, Gizmo lets users scroll through fun AI-generated experiences they can actively engage with. Each swipe drops users into a different interactive experience, ranging from simple games and quizzes to reactive memes and visual experiments. According to TechCrunch, these mini apps are generated using natural language prompts, with Gizmo's built-in AI handling the underlying code and design, allowing anyone to create and publish interactive content without technical skills. Recommended Videos Users can interact with these Gizmos while scrolling through their feeds and even remix existing Gizmos to create their own version. The remix feature encourages rapid experimentation, with users building on each other's ideas rather than starting from scratch. This results in a feed that feels less polished than traditional social platforms, surfacing half-baked concepts alongside surprisingly refined experiences. Gizmo is available for free on Android and iOS Gizmo arrives at a time when short-form video platforms continue to dominate user attention, but its unique format has already gained early traction. Since its launch six months ago, it has reportedly garnered around 600,000 installs. Gizmo is available for free on both iOS and Android, with its app store listing stating that it will remain free "without limits or hidden costs." In an FAQ section on its website, Atma Sciences says Gizmo is designed as a social platform for interactive content, with built-in discovery and sharing tools that encourage users to explore and remix creations from others. The company adds that it relies on a mix of automated systems and human oversight to review Gizmos as they are created and remixed "to maintain a positive community."