In another week, another AI app went viral. This time, the AI apps that rose to the top of the App Store are: epicis a photo editing app that allows users to generate their own nostalgic ’90s-style “yearbook” photos as one of a number of templates. Similar to other popular AI apps these days, EPIK works by having users first upload a series of selfies, which EPIK then uses to help users create different poses, Generates a nostalgic yearbook photo with a unique look and hairstyle.
This app is based in South Korea snow corporationis a subsidiary of Naver, and also makes the AI profile app “Snow.” In recent weeks, EPIK has been gaining traction on his App Store as influencers around the world have started sharing his AI-generated photos on social media.
In the US App Store, EPIK is currently number 1, but on Google Play it is less popular at number 37.
Image credits: epic
According to market intelligence company data apptopiaEPIK has recorded 92.3 million total lifetime installs since its debut in August 2021, including 4.7 million downloads in the US, but the app started gaining momentum on September 19th, and 10 days later The company says it has become even more popular.
Currently, EPIK’s largest market by downloads is India, with the US in sixth place.
In another company, data.ainotes that the app generated nearly $7 million in consumer spending on iOS with slightly lower lifetime downloads at 82 million. According to data.ai, this is the first time that it has been ranked among the top overall apps in the United States.
Snow Corporation did not respond to requests for comment to verify these numbers.
If you scroll through the #epik hashtag on Instagram, you’ll see a number of large accounts participating in the trend of posting AI yearbook photos. These include beauty influencers such as: Samantha Batalanos (254,000 followers) and Brettman Rock (18.8 million followers), actor, rapper Tim Chantarance (1.5 million followers), fashion model Eva Mikulski (481,000 followers), preferred by video creators denise (Number of followers 526,000), Misou (Number of followers 507,000), Romy (1.5 million followers), Liz Rangel (1.5 million followers) and Hilla Klein (1 million followers), Twitch streamer Pokimane (6 million followers) and many others, including influencers from the app’s home country and around the world.
Image credits: Pokimane on Instagram
To use EPIK’s yearbook feature, users upload 8 to 12 selfies, which are used to create an AI photo.
The app warns users that EPIK’s AI is constantly learning to improve its results, and not all AI results will be “satisfactory.” If you continue, “you agree to the consequences,” the message says.
The app also suggests users to post clear photos with different facial expressions, angles, and backgrounds. After the app processes the photo, it outputs 60 different images. The app itself is free to download, but users will have to pay for her AI output. You can also pay to have images generated faster. Standard shipping ($3.99) has a waiting time of up to 24 hours, while with express shipping ($5.99) he will have your photos delivered within 2 hours.
Image credits: epic
Unfortunately for EPIK, the app has become too popular to keep up with demand. If you try to use the Yearbook feature now, the app may say, “The feature is delayed because the number of users using the service is rapidly increasing.” We apologize for the inconvenience. Please try again later. ” Even if you complete the selfie upload process, the app may notify you that the shipping option is “sold out” and ask you to try again later.
Image credits: epic
EPIK isn’t the first AI photo app to make headlines for its clever features that garnered a lot of attention. This follows other viral hits like Lensa, which offered AI-generated “magical avatars.” Remini, which topped the App Store this summer with its professional-looking AI headshots. However, many AI photo apps fail to maintain momentum once their 15 minutes of fame wanes. An earlier group of AI photo editors that became popular last winter had already lost consumer interest, according to an Apptopia report published earlier this year.
For EPIK, this means that its recent high status could ultimately be a sign of things to come as users move on to the next AI trend.