TechCrunch has published its latest round-up of "hidden gem" apps on the App Store, arguing that despite predictions AI agents will replace app usage, indie and creative apps are thriving. The piece notes that new app launches are up 60% year-on-year globally and 80% on iOS alone, partly driven by AI-assisted coding making it easier for novices to build and ship software, though this has also raised concerns about lower-quality "vibe-coded" clutter.

Among the featured apps are Albo, a bookmarking tool from London studio The Feel Good Project that saves and categorises posts shared from social platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest even if the original content is later deleted, and Coop, a neighbourhood marketplace app letting users buy homemade or homegrown goods from nearby sellers, launched partly in response to concerns about food provenance following a recent US parasite outbreak.

– App Store activity is booming, with AI coding tools helping more people build apps
– Albo lets users save and organise social media posts and inspiration for later
– Coop connects buyers with local sellers of homemade and homegrown produce