Meta quietly launches AI-powered gaming app Pocket

Meta is getting into gaming with the launch of a new app called Pocket, which allows people to generate small, interactive apps and games using AI prompts. The software, a result of Meta's acquisition of the team at the vibe-coded gaming platform Gizmo earlier this year, describes itself as 'a creative platform for making and sharing gizmos,' which is what the interactive experiences are called. It also offers a scrollable feed where you can play with gizmos others have made.

Based on the app's screenshots in Google Play, there are many similarities to Gizmo's original app, which is still listed. Like Pocket, Gizmo also offers a way to use written AI prompts to build small, interactive experiences, and it includes a discovery feed. Alessandro Paluzzi, a reverse engineer and regular spotter of new apps and features, first noticed the app's launch this morning and published a Play Store screenshot of the app on X.

According to data from app intelligence provider Appfigures, however, Pocket was first launched on June 29, 2026 on the App Store and Google Play. (Because of its newness, the firm can't tell if it's yet to see any downloads.) Other outlets, including Business Insider and Investing.com, have also reported on Paluzzi's discovery. Meta has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Pocket is another example of Meta's push to make AI creation tools more mainstream, extending its earlier efforts, which included AI-generated images created via its Meta AI app and AI videos created with its app called Vibes. It has also added AI features across its social platforms and into its video-editing app for creators, Edits. Given that Meta has not officially announced Pocket's debut, it's likely that Pocket is still in its initial experimentation phase.

Its counterpart Gizmo, however, had generated 635,000 lifetime installs across both iOS and Google Play, according to Appfigures, which noted it had a 98% positive sentiment. Why this matters: Meta's foray into gaming with Pocket signals a deeper push into the creative tech space, where AI-powered tools are increasingly being used to democratize app and game development. For developers, this could mean new opportunities for building and distributing interactive experiences, while for businesses, it may offer novel ways to engage with customers.

For consumers, Pocket provides a new platform for discovering and playing with user-generated content. However, questions remain about the app's long-term viability and how it will differentiate itself from existing gaming and creative platforms. As Meta continues to experiment with AI creation tools, it will be interesting to see how these efforts pay off and what implications they have for the broader tech industry.