While some people debate whether people will shift away from apps as AI agents make accessing online services more efficient, we've found the App Store to be alive and well, with a recent explosion of fun, creative, and innovative tools, experiences, and other indie efforts. 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. 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. Many also use AI under the hood to...
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