Blog
What we're learning as we build mobile, AI, and design products
Insights on mobile app development, AI software, and UI/UX design,
from Old. St Labs.
Vibe-coded apps are brilliant for validating an idea quickly, but a working prototype isn’t necessarily a secure product. From exposed API keys and weak authentication to unsecured user data, here’s what founders need to check before putting an AI-built app in front of real users.
What makes an organisation AI-ready?
Most businesses have AI tools, but far fewer have the foundations to use them effectively. Discover the five essentials every organisation needs to turn AI from an experiment into measurable business value.
Your vibe-coded app is 80% done. The last 20% is where it gets expensive
AI can get an app 80% built fast. The final 20% includes security, scalability, edge cases, and maintainable code. That is where most AI-built prototypes stall and real product development begins.
The Jekyll and Hyde of Vibe Coding
Vibe coding now means two things: developers using AI assistants, and non-technical founders building without oversight. We break down the risks of each - and how to navigate both.
Old.St Labs achieves Cyber Essentials certification, strengthening client data security and trust
Old St Labs is Cyber Essentials certified, a UK government-backed standard proving we manage data securely and follow best-practice security protocols.
Old.St Labs achieves graduation from AWS Accelerated Development Program, reaching Select Level Partner Status
Old St Labs is now an AWS Select Tier Partner - a milestone that strengthens our cloud expertise and support for clients.
AI Agents in 2025: The quiet revolution behind the loud promises
AI agents were hyped to be 2025’s big productivity breakthrough, but the real wins came from small, practical automations rather than bold “digital worker” fantasies. Businesses that focused on clear use cases, team upskilling, and quick, measurable improvements saw the most value, while grand AI transformations mostly stumbled due to messy processes and poor data.
Behind the Leaders Podcast: How We built a world-class dev team overseas and embraced the AI shift
Rob breaks down how we built and grew a world-class remote dev team, the challenges we hit, and why remote collaboration works so well for us.
What’s your problem?!
A practical framework for defining the real problem behind your product idea - root cause analysis, gathering context, and writing a clear problem statement.
The Pitfalls of outsourcing tech development
A practical guide to the risks of outsourcing tech development - communication breakdowns, missed deadlines, dishonest agencies - and how to protect your project.
Welcome to the Lab
Why we started Old.St Labs, what a year of talking to founders and innovators has taught us, and what's coming next on the blog.
Where to turn when you want to build tech?
Teach yourself, find a co-founder, or hire a team? A practical breakdown of your options for building tech - and how to pick the right one.
