These App Store hidden gems prove there’s still room for great software in the AI era

In the AI era, the App Store continues to thrive, with a recent surge in innovative and creative tools and experiences. According to a report, new app launches have increased by 60% year-over-year, with an even higher 80% increase on Apple's iOS store. Despite concerns about lower-quality content cluttering the store, there are still many interesting apps worth exploring.

One such app is Albo, which helps users manage social media bookmarks by automatically pulling details and categorizing them for future reference. The app works with various social apps, including Pinterest, X, LinkedIn, Threads, Reddit, and Facebook, as well as browsers like Chrome and Safari. Albo also allows users to share their collections with friends.

Coop is another hidden gem, offering a neighborhood marketplace for buying handmade and homegrown items from local sellers. Users can browse and discover nearby sellers, follow their favorites, and purchase items via the app's Stripe integration. The app aims to support local commerce while providing an additional income stream for individuals with gardens, fields, or crafts to sell.

PI.FYI brings back the "old internet" feel by connecting users through a network of friends, rather than algorithms. The app tracks user interests, allows sharing of taste, and offers various categories and "scenes" to find communities and discover interesting articles, lists, local recommendations, and games. PI.FYI has a retro vibe and exudes a sense of authenticity.

Lette, a pen pal app, embraces the idea of snail mail in a digital format, allowing users to connect with pen pals around the world or those they already know. While letters are sent digitally for now, the company is considering a postal mail option in the future.

Sofa Time is an app that picks up where the recently shuttered TV Time left off, offering an easy-to-use interface for tracking movies and TV shows, organizing a watchlist, discovering new content, and receiving reminders about new releases. Although its commenting section is not yet as robust as TV Time's forums, the app has room to grow its community with GIF and image reactions, as well as built-in translation features to support a global audience.

Lastly, ThingsBook, developed by South Korean internet giant Naver's U.S. subsidiary, offers a unique platform for capturing and expanding on personal interests, such as journaling, logging ideas, and collecting things like books, travels, meals, hobbies, and goals. Instead of doomscrolling, ThingsBook provides a structured space for users to revisit and expand on their passions.