AI Tech / brief
App Store Hidden Gems Abound as New Releases Surge in the AI Era
Developers are shipping new apps faster than ever despite predictions that AI agents would make them obsolete. New releases are up sharply, with a wave of indie tools and creative experiences hitting the App Store.
New app launches have soared in the first quarter of 2026, with worldwide releases up 60% year over year across both the Apple App Store and Google Play. On Apple's iOS store alone, the figure was an even higher 80%, according to a recent report.
The boom is attributed in part to the rise of AI coding, which has enabled developers to ship software more quickly and allowed novices to participate in the app ecosystem. Among the latest finds are smarter bookmarking tools, neighborhood marketplaces, digital pen pals, and nature journals.
While there is concern that "vibe-coded" apps could clutter the App Store with lower-quality content, many developers are releasing creative and innovative tools that stand out. Notably, many of these apps use AI under the hood to perform their magic, yet they are not promoted as being "AI-powered."
The activity suggests that apps remain alive and well, even as some people debate whether users will shift away from traditional apps in favor of AI agents that make accessing online services more efficient. Indie developers, in particular, are finding room for new ideas and experiences.