These App Store hidden gems prove there’s still room for great software in the AI era
Despite predictions that AI agents could make traditional apps obsolete, developers are shipping new software faster than ever.
Despite predictions that AI agents could make traditional apps obsolete, developers are shipping new software faster than ever.
The short version
- From smarter bookmarking tools and neighborhood marketplaces to digital pen pals and nature journals, here are the latest App Store finds worth adding to your Home Screen.
- Some of the more recent launches may be attributed to the rise of AI coding, which has enabled people to ship software more quickly, and allowed novices to participate in the app ecosystem.
- According to one report, new app launches have soared in 2026, with worldwide new app releases up 60% year-over-year as of the first quarter across both the Apple App Store and Google Play.
What happened
On Apple’s iOS store alone, that figure was an even higher 80%. While there’s valid concern that vibe-coded apps in particular could be cluttering the App Store with lower-quality content, there are plenty of interesting apps worth exploring, and those that resonate with consumers will rise to the top.
Why it matters
Many also use AI under the hood to perform their magic — they’re just not promoted as being “AI-powered.” Below is our latest collection of App Store hidden gems , which we’ve added to our Home Screen.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at TechCrunch via the links above and below.