TechCrunch has published a fresh round-up of "hidden gem" apps on Apple's App Store, arguing that despite predictions AI agents might replace traditional apps, indie and creative software development is thriving. The piece links this resurgence partly to AI-assisted coding, which is letting more people, including novices, build and ship apps quickly, though it also raises concerns that this could flood the store with lower-quality "vibe-coded" software.

The article cites data showing worldwide new app launches rose 60% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026 across the Apple App Store and Google Play combined, with iOS alone seeing an 80% increase. Featured apps include Albo, a London-based tool from The Feel Good Project that saves and categorises bookmarked social media content and screenshots, and Coop, a neighbourhood marketplace app for buying homegrown or handmade goods locally, launched partly in response to a recent US parasite outbreak affecting food safety concerns.