Rocket Ship

Why I’m Pausing the Rocket Ship Podcast (For Now)

Simon Grimm — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:00:00 +0100

In this episode, I share an honest update about the future of the Rocket Ship Podcast.

After running the show for quite a while and experimenting with different formats, I’ve decided to pause the podcast for now. In this episode I explain why, what changed, and what I want to explore next.

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

🎮 Play Tiny Harvest: https://tinyharvest.app/

❤️ Socials

092 - React Native 0.84, Hermes V1 & A TanStack React Native Framework?!

Simon Grimm — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0100

React Native 0.84 is here (with Hermes V1 by default), WebAssembly is landing inside Hermes, Expo is experimenting with AI “Agent Skills,” and there might be a new React Native framework coming from TanStack 👀

Plus I share an honest update on Tiny Harvest hitting $2k/month, negative reactions to my AI crash course, and why I think this tension is actually healthy.

Let’s dive in.

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

🎮 Play Tiny Harvest: https://tinyharvest.app/

⚛️ React Native Radar

⏳ Expo SDK 55 – still no final release
🚀 React Native 0.84 – Hermes V1 now default
🧩 WebAssembly in Hermes – WASM support confirmed
🖥️ Hermes Node – running Hermes outside mobile?
📝 React Native Enriched 0.4 – rich text editor update
☑️ Checkbox support coming to RN Enriched
📱 TrueSheet 3.9 – tablet support added
🎞️ Teleport transitions – Instagram-like shared transitions
📋 expo-paste-input – cross-platform native paste handling
🔎 expo-spotlight – iOS CoreSpotlight integration
⚡ Expo compiler cache – faster builds & workflows
🍎 20 new Apple extensions in apple-targets
🗂️ iCloud-style folder interaction demo – clean UX inspiration
🌐 Radon network throttling – finer networking control
🤖 Expo Agent Skills – AI-powered upgrade helpers
💰 Mobile app revenue > mobile games – interesting market shift
✨ Lynx Framework (Sparkling) – TikTok-backed framework
🧠 Expo Vibe Coding IDE – AI-native RN playground
📊 State of React 2025 – PWA usage flat / shrinking
🛠️ XcodebuildMCP joins Sentry
📦 ASC CLI – App Store Connect from the terminal

🔥 Tiny Wins

🧱 VegaOS + Monorepo with Expo – finally working
🧠 Felt like a proper engineering challenge again

🧠 Build in Public

📈 Tiny Harvest – steady at ~$2,000/month
📉 Not growing (yet)
🤖 AI Crash Course video – mixed / negative reactions
💬 Interesting tension in the dev community

🚨 Trending in Tech

🧱 TanStack React Native Framework? – teased by Tanner Linsley
🔥 Framework competition heating up again

❤️ Socials

🔗 Links

React Native 0.84 (Hermes V1 by default): https://reactnative.dev/blog/2026/02/11/react-native-0.84
WebAssembly in Hermes: https://x.com/tmikov/status/2023821160241393839
Hermes Node: https://x.com/tmikov/status/2024609186936660170
React Native Enriched 0.4: https://x.com/swmansion/status/2023455754460467637
RN Enriched Checkboxes: https://x.com/G_Moskaliuk/status/2024818330758947105
TrueSheet 3.9 (Tablet Support): https://sheet.lodev09.com/blog/release-3-9
Instagram-like Transitions (Teleport): https://kirillzyusko.github.io/react-native-teleport/docs/recipes/instagram-shared-transitions
Expo Paste Input: https://github.com/arunabhverma/expo-paste-input
Expo Spotlight: https://github.com/Pflaumenbaum/expo-spotlight
Expo Compiler Cache: https://expo.dev/changelog/compiler-cache-for-builds
Apple Targets Extensions: https://x.com/Baconbrix/status/2021286101378650574
iCloud-style Folder Demo: https://x.com/sumitXbravo/status/2024898265641300101
Radon Network Throttling: https://x.com/kzzzf/status/2024857771858878891
Expo Agent Skills: https://expo.dev/expo-skills
Mobile Apps Revenue > Games: https://x.com/a16z/status/2019484729234583587
Lynx Framework (Sparkling): https://tiktok.github.io/sparkling/
Expo Vibe Coding IDE: https://x.com/bidah/status/2024139775729352978
React Native Vibe Code Example: https://reactnativevibecode.com/p/bd827eb1-fa45-41e8-9d53-c9c84c93e514?model=claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929
State of React 2025: https://2025.stateofreact.com/en-US
XcodebuildMCP joins Sentry: https://x.com/camsoft2000/status/2021611811447972125
ASC CLI: https://asccli.sh/

091 - Gesture Handler v3, AI Agents Everywhere, Animated Components & Tiny Harvest Momentum

Simon Grimm — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +0100

This week’s episode is packed with deep React Native ecosystem updates, a clear shift toward AI-first tooling, and some really positive momentum on Tiny Harvest. We talk new APIs, better performance, smarter automation - and why it feels like AI has officially crossed a tipping point for most developers.

⚛️ React Native Radar

⏳ Expo SDK 55 – still not released, likely 1–2 weeks out
🤏 React Native Gesture Handler v3 (beta)
🧩 React Native Screens 4.22 – ongoing polish and fixes
🚪 Teleport – a better, more flexible Portal solution for React Native
🧠 AI SDK Profiler with Rozenite
🤖 Token-efficient automation for AI agents
⚡ Superconfig with Nitro
📈 5 tips to increase app downloads & retention (Expo blog)
🧰 Expo MCP – new features
🧠 Vercel React Native Skills for AI agents
🧹 Xcode cleanup tool – finally reclaim that disk space
💬 Expo OpenClaw Chat

🧠 Build in Public

Tiny Harvest Update 🌱
- 🎟️ Season pass is performing really well
- 🐔 The new Coop feature feels great in-game
- 🚀 More big features shipping this week
- ❤️ Most importantly: people genuinely love the game

🚨 Trending in Tech

🤖 AI has reached a tipping point for most developers

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Tiny Harvest iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tiny-harvest-cozy-farm/id6755226300
Tiny Harvest Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.supersimon.harvestgame
Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980

🔗 Links

RNGH v3 beta: https://blog.swmansion.com/introducing-gesture-handler-3-0-hook-based-api-deeper-reanimated-integration-more-9185b0c8e305
React Native Teleport: https://kirillzyusko.github.io/react-native-teleport/blog/welcome
AI SDK Profiler: https://www.callstack.com/blog/announcing-ai-sdk-profiler-for-react-native
Superconfig: https://github.com/riteshshukla04/react-native-superconfig
Worklets: https://blog.swmansion.com/behind-the-scenes-of-react-native-multithreading-vision-camera-v5-x-react-native-worklets-a102c37b32ae
5 Tips to increase mobile app downloads: https://expo.dev/blog/how-to-increase-mobile-app-downloads-and-retention
Expo MCP: https://x.com/Baconbrix/status/2016286464510984224
Vercel React Native Skills: https://x.com/vercel_dev/status/2016226892333121635
Reactix: https://www.reacticx.com/
Xcode clean up dev tool: https://x.com/seanallen_dev/status/2019823735667372099
Expo Openclaw Demo: https://x.com/brunobar79/status/2019444917064315320
Tiny Harvest Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TinyHarvest/

090 - Expo SDK 55, AI Agent Skills, Tiny Harvest Revenue & Industrial Revolution of Software

Simon Grimm — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0100

This week’s episode is packed with Expo-heavy updates, early looks at AI agent tooling, and some honest numbers and lessons from Tiny Harvest. We also zoom out and talk about the idea that we might be living through an Industrial Revolution of Software.

⚛️ React Native Radar

🚀 Expo SDK 55 (beta)
🧠 Expo Skills – a growing collection of AI agent skills for Expo & EAS
🧩 React Native Screens 4.20 released
🪟 React Native Windows & macOS 0.81
✨ Making AI feel human using Expo, Reanimated & Skia
🔄 EAS Channel Surfing – switching update channels at runtime
📄 Remote MDX support experiments
🖼️ SF Symbols support coming to Expo Image
🧭 Expo Router v7 (beta) – big iteration on routing
🧮 calc() support lands in React Native styling

🧠 Build in Public

📊 App Store ratings & early feedback
💰 Purchases & revenue insights

🚨 Trending in Tech

🧠 The Death of Software Development
“We are living through the Industrial Revolution of Software.”

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Tiny Harvest: https://tinyharvest.app/
Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980

🔗 Links

Expo SDK 55 beta: https://expo.dev/changelog/sdk-55-beta#new-expo-sdk-package-versioning-scheme
Expo AI Skills: https://github.com/expo/skills
React Native Windows 0.81: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/react-native/%F0%9F%9A%80react-native-windows-v0-81-is-here/
EAS Channel surfing: https://expo.dev/blog/channel-surfing-for-expo-updates-how-to-switch-update-channels-at-runtime
Remote MDX with Expo: https://x.com/Baconbrix/status/2011518481976734099
calc() support: https://x.com/_ikswodarap/status/2014677703266288082
Tiny Harvest: https://tinyharvest.app/
The Death of Software Development: https://mike.tech/blog/death-of-software-development

089 - JS Rising Stars, Indie Game Revenue & AI Finally Clicking

Simon Grimm — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:00:00 +0100

This week’s episode is a quieter one on the news front - but a big one for reflections.

We look at the latest signals from the React Native ecosystem, then zoom out into what I’ve been building lately, why I can’t stop thinking about my game project, and how AI has quietly become one of the most useful tools in my daily workflow.

⚛️ React Native Radar

State of React Native 2025 survey: early impressions & what stands out
JavaScript Rising Stars 2025: what’s gaining traction (and what isn’t)

🧠 Build in Public

Game updates & early revenue
Why this project completely took over my brain
Key lessons learned so far
What I’m planning to do next
A small but fun side tool: my asset/icon generator

🚨 Trending in Tech

AI has crossed an interesting line
Why engineers are finally talking about it constantly
How it went from “meh” to genuinely incredible for building

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Tiny Harvest: https://tinyharvest.app/
Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980

🔗 Links

JS Rising Stars 2025: https://risingstars.js.org/2025/en

088 - 2025 in React Native: The Good, the Overhyped, and the Lessons Learned

Simon Grimm — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0100

2025 is coming to an end - and instead of another release recap, this episode takes a step back.

In this year-in-review, I reflect on what actually mattered in React Native in 2025:

the shifts that changed how we build apps, what was overhyped, what quietly became important, and the lessons I’m taking into 2026.

This is a calm, opinionated look at the year - from the perspective of someone building apps, teaching developers, and navigating a fast-moving ecosystem.

🧭 Topics in this episode

🔍 The big picture

What kind of year 2025 really was for React Native
Stability vs innovation: where the ecosystem landed
Why this year felt different from previous “big” RN years

⚛️ What actually mattered in 2025

Changes that genuinely affected day-to-day development
Where complexity moved (and where it didn’t)
What turned out to be worth learning - and what wasn’t

📉 Overhyped vs underhyped

Things that got more attention than they deserved
Tools and ideas that quietly proved their value
How hype cycles affected developer decision-making

🧠 Personal lessons from the year

What I underestimated
Mistakes I wouldn’t repeat
How my approach to building, teaching, and content changed

🔮 Looking ahead to 2026

What I’m doubling down on
What I’m deliberately saying “no” to
Areas I’m curious about - but still skeptical

💬 Join the conversation

What was your biggest takeaway from 2025?

What do you want to leave behind - and what are you taking into 2026?

Let me know on X / LinkedIn or in the YouTube comments.

Thanks for listening - and see you in 2026 👋

087 - React Native 0.83, Security Vulnerability, Faster Builds, Expo Router Sneak & AI Coding Challenges

Simon Grimm — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week’s episode covers a big React Native release, a critical React security vulnerability, and a wave of performance and DX improvements across the ecosystem. I also share updates from Tiny Harvest and talk about the realities of AI-assisted coding as projects grow.

⚛️ React Native Radar

🚀 React Native 0.83 released
📦 Release overview & what’s coming next in RN
📊 State of React Native 2025 Survey is now open
🎞️ Reanimated 4.2.0 with SET support
⚡ Pre-built artifacts config plugin for significantly faster builds
🔗 Detour – a new developer-friendly deep linking library
🧾 True Sheet 3.0 released
☁️ Nitro Cloud Uploader – resumable, background-friendly uploads
🔐 react-native-quick-crypto 1.0 – fast JSI-based crypto APIs
🧭 Expo Router previews
🧩 iOS Widgets with Expo UI – native widgets driven from JS

🧠 From My Projects:

🔧 Major refactor
📊 Added app events & analytics
🛍️ Brand new App Store page

🚨 Trending in Tech

Critical security vulnerability in React Server Components

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Tiny Harvest: https://tinyharvest.app/
Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980

🔗 Links

React Native 0.83: https://reactnative.dev/blog/2025/12/10/react-native-0.83
React Native Releases: https://reactnative.dev/docs/next/releases
State of React Native survey: https://survey.2025.stateofreactnative.com/
Reanimated 4.2.0: https://blog.swmansion.com/introducing-reanimated-4-2-0-71eea21ca861
RN Pre-Built Artifacts: https://rnrepo.org/
Detour for Deep linking: https://docs.swmansion.com/detour/
True Sheet 3: https://sheet.lodev09.com/blog/release-3-0
RN Nitro Cloud Uploader: https://github.com/Gautham495/react-native-nitro-cloud-uploader
RN Quick Crypto: https://github.com/margelo/react-native-quick-crypto
Expo Router Preview: https://x.com/Baconbrix/status/1998438240291049931
Expo UI Widgets: https://x.com/k7grzywacz/status/1998387025615978645
Critical Security Vulnerability: https://react.dev/blog/2025/12/03/critical-security-vulnerability-in-react-server-components
Mitigating vulnerabilities in RSC: https://expo.dev/changelog/mitigating-critical-security-vulnerability-in-react-server-components

086 - CSS Grid, Faster JSON, Uniwind Experience, React Native Rails & Tiny Harvest Game Update

Simon Grimm — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week’s episode covers a mix of major React Native updates, powerful new tools, and insights from publishing my AI-engineered farming game, Tiny Harvest. We also talk about early experiments like React Native Rails and what CSS Grid means for the future of layout on mobile.

⚛️ React Native Radar:

✨ Gifted Chat v3 rewrite – modernized API, performance fixes
📦 New expo-targets library for advanced project configuration
📄 React Navigation PageSheet – new modal presentation style
🧻 ActionSheet v10 – cleaner API & better native behavior
🎨 Skia zIndex – layering now works more intuitively
⚡ Faster JSON parsing improvements from Tzvetan Mikov
🧩 Expo Brownfield Target – integrate RN into existing native apps more easily
🔲 CSS Grid is coming to React Native (!)
🖥️ Radon IDE free trial – RN-focused development environment
🍏 Apple Mini Apps Program announced
📱 How Vercel built the v0 iOS app – great read on architecture & innovation

🧠 From My Projects:

🌬️ My Uniwind experience — what I’ve learned using it in real projects
🌾 I Built a Mobile Farming Game in 6 Days (AI + Expo)
📲 Tiny Harvest is now available on iOS & Android: https://tinyharvest.app/

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980
Text to Voice AI: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/text-to-voice-ai-reader/id6739965632
Healthy Food Swap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410

🔗 Links

React Native Advent Calendar: https://galaxies.dev/calendar/2025
Tiny Harvest: https://tinyharvest.app/
Gifted Chat: https://github.com/FaridSafi/react-native-gifted-chat
Expo Targets: https://github.com/csark0812/expo-targets
Actions Sheet: https://github.com/ammarahm-ed/react-native-actions-sheet/releases/tag/v10.0.0
Hermes JSON: https://x.com/tmikov/status/1993080321626284194
Brownfield Target: https://x.com/swmansion/status/1991177091841208581
CSS Grid: https://github.com/facebook/yoga/pull/1865
Radon Free Plan: https://x.com/swmansion/status/1990801086622429568
How we built the v0 iOS App: https://vercel.com/blog/how-we-built-the-v0-ios-app

085 - Valdi vs React Native, Uniwind v1, WebGPU, Game Dev & AI Engineering

Simon Grimm — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week’s episode is packed with performance breakthroughs, new UI tooling, graphics innovation, and my own deep dive into AI-assisted game development. We compare Valdi vs React Native, explore what Uniwind v1 means for the styling ecosystem, and look at how WebGPU is reshaping the future of graphics on mobile.

⚛️ React Native Radar:

🎉 Uniwind v1 released – a major milestone for fast Tailwind-style styling
🦸 Hero UI Native now running on top of Uniwind
🟣 Valdi – Snapchat’s cross-platform UI engine and how it compares to React Native
⚡ WebGPU demo from Evan Bacon – real GPU compute inside RN
🟠 Jelly Slider demo – slick, physics-driven UI interaction
✨ Expo Splash Screen transitions are coming
🔤 Animated Text API demo – smooth typography animations
🔗 Shared Element Transitions arriving in the New Architecture
🏆 Expo Awards pushed back

🧠 From My Projects:

📺 My 8-hour Wolt Clone video is now live
🎮 Highlights from last week’s React Native Godot livestream
🌾 Deep insights from building Tiny Harvest using AI engineering

🌪 Ecosystem Thoughts:

Uniwind vs NativeWind — quick comparison and where each shines

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980
Text to Voice AI: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/text-to-voice-ai-reader/id6739965632
Healthy Food Swap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410

🔗 Links

Uniwind v1: https://www.reactnativecrossroads.com/posts/introducing-uniwind-the-fastest-tailwind-bindings-for-react-native
HeroUI Native Beta: https://x.com/hero_ui/status/1985721976220966926
Valdi: https://github.com/Snapchat/Valdi
Evan GPU template: https://x.com/Baconbrix/status/1986562026714640767
Jelly Slider: https://x.com/reczko_konrad/status/1986496404777205784
npx testflight: https://docs.expo.dev/build-reference/npx-testflight/
Simons Wolt clone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYftPYZJsy8
Simons Godot Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDcOXpRPprU
State of Nativewind: https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1OwxWePNzmqGQ

084 - Expo MCP, MMKV, Godot Games & React Native Package Confusion

Simon Grimm — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +0100

This week’s episode covers another wave of React Native ecosystem updates — from Expo’s new AI-native tools to faster storage, cross-framework experiments, and even a React Native + Godot integration.

⚛️ React Native Radar:

🤖 Expo MCP Server – build AI-native apps with the new MCP integration
🧩 iOS Simulator MCP v1.5 – new Open/Launch/Install tools for dev automation
⚡️ MMKV v4 released – faster, smaller, and now powered by Nitro Modules
📱 React Native Nitro Device Info – device info at Nitro speed
👆 Pressto updates – smoother tap interactions for React Native apps
🎮 React Native Godot – open-sourced integration bringing game engine power to RN
🧭 Onboarding component by Software Mansion – polished native onboarding UI
💨 Uniwind Benchmarks – performance comparisons across styling solutions
🤷‍♂️ Flutter with Expo? – launch a Flutter web app with Expo Launch

🧠 From My Projects:

🍔 Wolt Clone recording done, video soon
🧱 Planning an Advent Calendar and livestreams

🚨 Trending in Tech:

❓ React Native Package Confusion – how to find the right packages?

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980
Text to Voice AI: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/text-to-voice-ai-reader/id6739965632
Healthy Food Swap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410

🔗 Links

Expo MCP: https://expo.dev/blog/become-an-ai-native-developer-with-the-expo-mcp-server
iOS Simulator MCP: https://github.com/joshuayoes/ios-simulator-mcp/releases/tag/v1.5.0
MMKV v4: https://github.com/mrousavy/react-native-mmkv/releases/tag/v4.0.0
Nitro Device Info: https://github.com/l2hyunwoo/react-native-nitro-device-info
Pressto: https://github.com/enzomanuelmangano/pressto
React Native Godot: https://github.com/borndotcom/react-native-godot
React Native Onboarding: https://github.com/software-mansion-labs/react-native-onboarding
Uniwind Benchmarks: https://github.com/Unistyles-OSS/uniwind-benchmarks
Flutter with Expo: https://x.com/cedric_dev/status/1984751533221953813

#083 - React Native 0.82, The React Foundation, DevTools App, CSS Support, Uniwind & Split View Layout

Simon Grimm — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0200

This week’s episode dives into all the major announcements from React Conf 2025—from the upcoming changes to React Native DevTools and React Foundation, to long-awaited features like CSS support and Hermes V1. Plus, I share updates on my latest projects, including the release of my Pocket Clone and progress on the Wolt Clone.

⚛️ React Native Radar:

🎉 React Native turns 10!
🆕 React Native 0.82 released – major milestone for the new architecture
🧩 React Native Screens 4.17 with key fixes
🪟 Split View Layout support lands for multi-pane experiences
🏆 Expo App Awards open for submissions
🏗️ The React Foundation announced – new governance for React & RN
🧰 New React Native DevTools (0.83 preview) – with performance and inspector improvements
🎨 CSS support officially coming to React Native (along with Hermes v1)
📚 React Conf 2025 Recap – biggest takeaways for React Native devs
🚀 Nitro Tutorial by Marc Rousavy
⚙️ Adding native code with Expo Modules – new official tutorial
💨 Uniwind Beta – lightning-fast Tailwind bindings for RN
🔗 Deep links improvements from Software Mansion

🧠 From My Projects:

✅ Pocket Clone released – learnings from building it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSs4Dnz274k)
🍔 Wolt Clone in progress – next big project
🧱 Thoughts on the future of Expo UI and where it’s headed

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980
Text to Voice AI: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/text-to-voice-ai-reader/id6739965632
Healthy Food Swap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410

🔗 Links

React Native turned 10: https://x.com/reactnative/status/1976066079874220397
React Native 0.82: https://reactnative.dev/blog/2025/10/08/react-native-0.82
React Native Screens 4.17: https://github.com/software-mansion/react-native-screens/releases/tag/4.17.0
React Foundation: https://react.dev/blog/2025/10/07/introducing-the-react-foundation
DevTools Preview: https://x.com/huntie/status/1976094434958901476
Expo CSS Support: https://x.com/Baconbrix/status/1976050536756691384
React Conf 2025 Recap: https://react.dev/blog/2025/10/16/react-conf-2025-recap
Expo App Awards: https://expo.dev/awards
How to build a Nitro Module: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=528SxTGnIlc
How to build Expo Modules: https://expo.dev/blog/how-to-add-native-code-to-your-app-with-expo-modules
Uniwind Public Beta: https://github.com/Unistyles-OSS/uniwind
Detour: https://docs.swmansion.com/detour/
Expo UI Thoughts: https://x.com/kudochien/status/1978805681378807936

#082 - Expo App Structure, NativeWind v5, Expo Live Activity, Native APIs with JS & React Native Buoy

Simon Grimm — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0200

This week’s episode covers the latest React Native ecosystem updates, a few personal wins, and what’s next for my upcoming projects.

⚛️ React Native Radar:

React 19.2 – small update, big polish
React Native 0.82 RC5 – new fixes before the full release
Vega OS – Amazon’s new platform for apps and games
React Native Enriched (RTE) – rich text editor by Software Mansion
Nitro Fetch – faster networking from Margelo
localStorage API with Expo SQLite
Live Activities now even easier to integrate
App structure best practices for clarity and scalability
OS Animations library now open source
Access iOS APIs directly from JS – new possibilities
Voltra on the horizon
UniWind public beta feedback looks promising
NativeWind v5 preview released
Header fix coming to React Native Screens
React Native Buoy – floating debug & support tools inside your app

🔥 Tiny Wins:

🏃‍♂️ Ran a Marathon in 3:36
💪 Back to cutting & strength training
🚴‍♂️ Got a Zwift setup for indoor rides

🧠 Build in Public:

📱 Pocket Clone coming soon
🍔 Wolt Clone up next
🪐 Started a new Galaxies.dev Mission

🚨 Trending in Tech:

React Conf is around the corner!
AI tools getting practical—like testing Apple submissions automatically

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980
Text to Voice AI: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/text-to-voice-ai-reader/id6739965632
Healthy Food Swap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410

🔗 Links

React 19.2: https://react.dev/blog/2025/10/01/react-19-2
Vega OS: https://developer.amazon.com/apps-and-games/blogs/2025/09/announcing-vega-os
React Native Enriched: https://github.com/software-mansion/react-native-enriched
Nitro Fetch: https://github.com/margelo/react-native-nitro-fetch
Expo Live Activity: https://github.com/software-mansion-labs/expo-live-activity
Expo App Folder Structure: https://expo.dev/blog/expo-app-folder-structure-best-practices
Animated Demos: https://github.com/enzomanuelmangano/demos
Direct Native API Access: https://x.com/birch_js/status/1971619696991740259
Voltra: https://x.com/saul_sharma/status/1972161677165473980
Nativewind v5 Preview: https://x.com/nativewindcss/status/1971247806271848535
React Native Buoy: https://github.com/LovesWorking/react-native-buoy

#081 - Expo SDK 54, Expo Router v6 & Expo UI Beta for iOS with Beto Moedano

Simon Grimm — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0200

In this episode, I’m joined once again by Alberto Moedano aka Code with Beto. We discuss the exciting features of Expo SDK 54, including the introduction of React Native 0.81, the new Expo Router version 6, and the integration of Expo UI with SwiftUI.

Beto and I also delve into the benefits of the Liquid Glass design, the improvements in build times, and the future of Expo Maps.

Beto finally shares insights on his successful tool Snap AI and the importance of keeping up with SDK updates for better performance and user experience.

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

🤝 Alberto Moedano

Beto X: https://twitter.com/betomoedano
Beto YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@codewithbeto
Code with Beto Courses: https://codewithbeto.dev/

🔗 Links

Expo SDK 54: https://expo.dev/changelog/sdk-54
Livestream "What's new in Expo SDK 54?": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBlbkjqxNbM
Expo UI Docs: https://docs.expo.dev/guides/expo-ui-swift-ui/
Expo UI iOS Liquid Glass Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wXYLWz3YEQ
SNapAI: https://github.com/betomoedano/snapai

#080 - LegendList 2, Expo SDK 54, New Modules and React Native 1.0?

Simon Grimm — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 06:00:00 +0200

This week’s episode is packed with big updates in the React Native world—new tools, major releases, and even a glimpse into the future of the framework.

⚛️ React Native Radar:

Maestro 2.0 released – faster, more powerful mobile testing
Audio support updates from Software Mansion
LegendList 2 brings better list performance
Reanimated 4 stable – the next step for animations in RN
Nitro Fetch – the network layer gets an upgrade
Shopify migrates fully to the New Architecture
Module Federation for React Native apps
Expo Launch – a new way to get apps into the store faster
New GlassEffect module in Expo SDK
React Native 0.81 – Android 16 support, faster iOS builds, SafeAreaView changes
Expo SDK 54 beta now available
RFC0929 – removal of the legacy architecture officially on the way

🚨 Trending in Tech:

Warp – new AI-powered tool for devs
Performance breakthroughs in RN apps (Tesla, Replit, Doodle Jump)
React Universe recap

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980
Text to Voice AI: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/text-to-voice-ai-reader/id6739965632
Healthy Food Swap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410

🔗 Links

Maestro 2: https://maestro.dev/blog/introducing-maestro-2-0-0
LegendList 2: https://x.com/jmeistrich/status/1963918763306164652
Reanimated 4: https://blog.swmansion.com/reanimated-4-stable-release-the-future-of-react-native-animations-ba68210c3713
React Native Nitro Fetch: https://x.com/Turbo_Szymon/status/1963935399346053520
Shopify New Aech Migration: https://shopify.engineering/react-native-new-architecture
Expo Module Federation: https://x.com/_jbroma/status/1964432339057922523
Expo Launch: https://expo.dev/blog/introducing-expo-launch
React Native 0.81: https://reactnative.dev/blog/2025/08/12/react-native-0.81
Expo SDK 54: https://expo.dev/changelog/sdk-54-beta
Doodle Jump: https://x.com/mrousavy/status/1961077962200977821
Uniwind: https://uniwind.dev/
Rock Framework: https://www.callstack.com/open-source/rock

#079 - New Architecture, AI Impact, and the Next Wave of React Native Innovation with Jamon Holmgren

Simon Grimm — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0200

In this episode, I’m joined once again by Jamon Holmgren, co-founder of Infinite Red and host of React Native Radio. We dive deep into the new React Native architecture - from TurboModules, Fabric Components, and Nitro, to whether it’s time for everyone to migrate.

We also explore how AI is already changing development, what the future holds for tools like Ignite and Reactotron, and whether React Strict DOM will reshape how we build for web. Jamon shares his perspective on current trends, and why he believes the next few years will bring a new wave of innovation in the React Native ecosystem.

Previous Podcast with Jamon: https://podcast.galaxies.dev/episodes/055-why-companies-use-react-native-job-interviews-open-source-trends-with-jamon-holmgren

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos -> https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

🤝 Jamon Holmgren

Jamon X: https://x.com/jamonholmgren
Jamon personal: https://jamon.dev/
Jamon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamonholmgren/
Jamon Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamon.dev

🔗 Links

Infinite Red: https://infinite.red/
Jamons Game: https://jammin.games/into-the-dawn/
React Native Radio: https://reactnativeradio.com/
React Native Web vs Strict DOM: https://shift.infinite.red/react-strict-dom-vs-react-native-for-web-in-2025-bb91582ef261
Ignite: https://github.com/infinitered/ignite
Reactotron: https://github.com/infinitered/reactotron
iOS Simulator MCP: https://github.com/joshuayoes/ios-simulator-mcp

#078 - FlashList v2, Native CSS in React Native & The End of the Old Architecture

Simon Grimm — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0200

In this week’s episode, we explore major updates in the React Native ecosystem—fresh UI tools, performance boosts, and what the end of the old architecture means for developers. Plus, we dive into the debate on web vs in-app purchases and share the latest AI dev tool trends.

⚛️ React Native Radar:

FlashList v2 – a complete ground-up rewrite for the new architecture
Callstack Shimmer – fast, customizable shimmer effects for skeleton loading
Rozenite – a new plugin framework for React Native DevTools
New Expo Modules: Animated Toast, Liquid Glass View, iOS Popover Tip
ElevenLabs React Native SDK – bring advanced AI voice features to your app
Vercel AI SDK v5 released
Using Expo Patch-Project for native changes
Context Menu updates by Evan Bacon
Native CSS support coming to Expo
New screen transitions in React Navigation
Discussion: Is anyone still using the React Native CLI?
End of the old architecture – newArchEnabled=false removed in RN 0.82

🔥 Trending in Tech:

Claude + Expo CLI integration experiments
Flutter vs React Native – Jamon’s take on the debate
Web vs in-app subscriptions – why web payments might cost you 6% in take-home revenue

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos -> https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980
Text to Voice AI: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/text-to-voice-ai-reader/id6739965632
Healthy Food Swap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410

🔗 Links

FlashList v2: https://shopify.engineering/flashlist-v2
React Native Fast Shimmer: https://www.callstack.com/blog/performant-and-cross-platform-shimmers-in-react-native-apps
Rozenite: https://www.callstack.com/blog/introducing-rozenite-a-plugin-framework-for-react-native-devtools
Expo Liquid Glass: https://github.com/rit3zh/expo-liquid-glass-view
ElevenLabs React Native SDK: https://x.com/ElevenLabsDevs/status/1953096060252869053
Vercel AI SDK 5: https://vercel.com/blog/ai-sdk-5
Expo patch-project docs: https://docs.expo.dev/config-plugins/patch-project/
React Native Screen Transitions: https://x.com/trpfsu/status/1954010840627036600
CSS Parsing Expo: https://x.com/Baconbrix/status/1954699574050005112
Remove Legacy Arch: https://github.com/facebook/react-native/pull/53025

#077 - Future of React Native Animations, Building Games, Better Performance & New Packages

Simon Grimm — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0200

This week’s episode dives into what’s next for animations, games, and performance in React Native—plus a wave of new tools and examples from the community.

🧰 React Native & Dev Tools:

Reanimated 4 is here: what’s new and what’s next
Precompiled React Native for iOS is coming in 0.81
Expo Router gets native tabs support
Build 2D games using Matter.js + Skia in React Native
Glass Buttons in Expo UI
Keyboard Controller with extension support

⚡ Community & Ecosystem:

Expo examples for AWS S3 Upload and GraphQL
Krystof Woldrich joins Expo—bringing more power to the team
Nitro Image gets a major rewrite for better media handling

🔥 Trending in Tech:

How good is Claude Code?

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos -> https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980
Text to Voice AI: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/text-to-voice-ai-reader/id6739965632
Healthy Food Swap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410

🔗 Links

Reanimated 4: https://blog.swmansion.com/reanimated-4-stable-release-the-future-of-react-native-animations-ba68210c3713
Precompiled React Native: https://expo.dev/blog/precompiled-react-native-for-ios
Keyboard Controller Update: https://kirillzyusko.github.io/react-native-keyboard-controller/blog/keyboard-extensions
2D Games with React Native: https://expo.dev/blog/build-2d-game-style-physics-with-matter-js-and-react-native-skia
AWS S3 Example: https://x.com/kadikraman/status/1948002556824752288
GraphQL Example: https://x.com/kadikraman/status/1948382698906521658
Expo iOS Mesh Gradient: https://github.com/rit3zh/expo-ios-mesh-gradient
Claude Code: https://www.anthropic.com/claude-code

#076 - Unistyles 3.0, SwiftUI Filters, Nitro Hype & the Expo Debate

Simon Grimm — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0200

In this week’s episode, we explore new tools, visual upgrades, and some trending controversy in the React Native ecosystem—plus, I finally shipped my Amazon clone and share what’s coming next.

🧰 React Native & Dev Tools:

SwiftUI-style Filter component from Nishan
Powerful styling updates in Unistyles 3.0
Redux DevTools for with React Native DevTools
Legal Kit: Auto-generate license acknowledgements for your app
Stack component for clean, type-safe flex layouts
CSS-style animations example for React Native
Updated Cursors + UIView Tool for deeper iOS debugging
Modals reimagined by Hirbod
SWM’s new React Native RAG package for AI + native integration

⚡ Community & Ecosystem:

Vadim’s strategy for launching 10 production apps in 2025
Ignite 11: a fresh take on app templates
Shipaton: RevenueCat’s internal hackathon showcase

🔥 Trending in Tech:

The growing hype around Nitro Modules
Strict DOM: What it is and where it’s going
The Expo criticism - deserved?

🛠️ From My Side:

✅ Amazon clone released
🔜 Next up: Essentials
🌴 Vacation break coming up—enjoying some summer downtime!

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos -> https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980
Text to Voice AI: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/text-to-voice-ai-reader/id6739965632
Healthy Food Swap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410

🔗 Links

NEW: Amazon Clone with React Native: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P9dZZcRcao
Indie app strategy: https://expo.dev/blog/how-to-build-apps-fast
Ignite 11: https://x.com/ir_ignite/status/1940455686045159817
Unistyles 3.0: https://www.reactnativecrossroads.com/posts/introducing-unistyles-3
UI View Tool 1.4: https://github.com/joshuayoes/ios-simulator-mcp/releases/tag/v1.4.0
Stack Component: https://github.com/nkzw-tech/stack
React Native RAG: https://blog.swmansion.com/introducing-react-native-rag-fbb62efa4991
RevenueCat Shipaton: https://revenuecat-shipaton-2025.devpost.com/
React criticism: https://x.com/scriptjunkie1/status/1938676829663187450

#075 - Epic React Native Packages, Background Images, Skia and WebGPU Updates, Expo Router & The MCP Hype

Simon Grimm — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 06:00:00 +0200

This week, we’re diving deep into some of the most exciting updates in the React Native ecosystem—and I’m sharing a few personal shifts too.

🧠 Topics we cover:

The future of graphics in React Native: Skia, WebGPU, and what’s coming in 2025
Wild performance with Fast Confetti by Alireza
Support for background-repeat in styling
Evan Bacon’s latest project: an AI-powered app that builds apps
The IAP deprecation and what it means for devs
Nitro Image and Video v7 alpha – big leaps in media performance
William Candillon shows off Skottie animations inside Skia

🔥 Hot takes & personal updates:

Why I’ve decided to stop building native apps and go all-in on Galaxies.dev
My honest thoughts on Expo Router and why I’m loving it
The current hype around MCP – is it just another Web3 moment?

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos -> https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980
Text to Voice AI: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/text-to-voice-ai-reader/id6739965632
Healthy Food Swap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410

🔗 Links

The Future of React Native Graphics: WebGPU, Skia, and Beyond: https://shopify.engineering/webgpu-skia-web-graphics
Background-repeat and styles: https://x.com/nishanbende/status/1938130663586337176
Evan Expo Router AI App Generator: https://github.com/EvanBacon/app-that-builds-apps
Deprecating React Native IAP: https://x.com/hyodotdev/status/1939420943665049961
React Native Nitro Image: https://github.com/mrousavy/react-native-nitro-image
React Native Fast Confetti: https://github.com/AlirezaHadjar/react-native-fast-confetti
Expo Router Tweet: https://x.com/schlimmson/status/1939716357723218073
Are MCPs like web3: https://x.com/theo/status/1939434082867569140

#074 - Expo AI App Template, Icon Creator, Background Tasks, RSC & Triathlon Success

Simon Grimm — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0200

In this week’s episode, we explore a handful of exciting tools and tutorials for React Native developers - plus a personal milestone:

🛠️ React Native Goodies:

Generate beautiful icons in seconds with the AI App Icon CLI
A new AI-powered app template from Evan Bacon
A fresh tutorial on background tasks - a must for building polished apps

💻 From My Desk:

I finally published my React Server Components tutorial!

🏁 Life Update:

I ran my first triathlon! Hear how it went and what’s next..

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos -> https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980
Text to Voice AI: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/text-to-voice-ai-reader/id6739965632
Healthy Food Swap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410

🔗 Links

Background Tasks: https://x.com/expo/status/1935391573933703358
AI Template: https://x.com/Baconbrix/status/1935697130439520514
Snap AI Icon CLI: https://github.com/betomoedano/snapai
React Native Fast Confetti: https://github.com/AlirezaHadjar/react-native-fast-confetti
Expo App Inception: https://x.com/Baconbrix/status/1935794622951047321
Your First RSC with React Native: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhVFlTRtf38

#073 - React Native 0.80, EAS Alternative, AI Voice Agents & Apple vs React Native

Simon Grimm — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0200

In this week’s episode, we explore the latest updates and trends in the React Native world—and beyond:

🚀 What’s New:

React Native 0.80 – What’s changed and why it matters
A free alternative to EAS – Could this be a game-changer?
Key takeaways from Apple’s WWDC – What iOS updates mean for React Native devs
Hot new tools: InstantDB and Vapi (for building voice agents)

🎯 Also in this episode:

Sneak peek at the upcoming Amazon clone project
Why Gorhom Bottom Sheet is still one of the best tools out there
Final thoughts from the last days of triathlon prep
New ideas brewing for the next Galaxies Supabase Mission

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos -> https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials

👨‍💻 Apps

Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980
Text to Voice AI: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/text-to-voice-ai-reader/id6739965632
Healthy Food Swap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410

🔗 Links

React Native 0.80: https://reactnative.dev/blog/2025/06/12/react-native-0.80
EAS Alternative: https://www.reddit.com/r/expo/comments/1l6ekq3/i_made_a_free_github_actions_workflow_that/
InstantDB: https://www.instantdb.com/
Vapi Voice Agents: https://vapi.ai/
Gorhom Bottom Sheet: https://gorhom.dev/react-native-bottom-sheet/
Jamons X Post: https://x.com/jamonholmgren/status/1932200003096990131

#072 - The Frozen Arch, Killing my App & React Native World Domination

Simon Grimm — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 06:00:00 +0200

The AppJS took place and there's a lot to learn from the amazing talks about the current state of React Native and its future. From frozen architecture to React Native news and new packages, we dive into everything in this episode!

Also in this episode:
- Why Simon is killing his app
- My next clone project

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos
https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials
https://x.com/schlimmson
https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr
https://bsky.app/profile/galaxies.dev

👨‍💻 Apps
Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021
Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980
Text to Voice AI: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/text-to-voice-ai-reader/id6739965632
Healthy Food Swap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410

🔗 Links
AppJS Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/K2JTTKpptGs
ReactRaptor: https://expo.dev/blog/which-android-apps-are-built-with-expo
Expo PencilKit UI: https://github.com/tarikfp/expo-pencilkit-ui

#071 - Reanimated 4 Beta, LiveStore, DevTools & Expo Router Course

Simon Grimm — Thu, 29 May 2025 06:00:00 +0200

While the AppJS is about to kick off, we talk about some cool new packages and updates around Reanimated and a new solution for local-first apps!

Also in this episode:
- New React Native Essentials
- Apple still doesn't like my app
- New Expo Router v5 Course
- Are you VibeCoding?

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos
https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials
https://x.com/schlimmson
https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr
https://bsky.app/profile/galaxies.dev

🔗 Links
Reanimated Beta 4: https://github.com/software-mansion/react-native-reanimated/releases/tag/4.0.0-beta.4
AppJS: https://appjs.co/
LiveStore: https://livestore.dev/
Expo Router 5 Course: https://galaxies.dev/course/expo-router-5-rsc/1-1
React Native Better DevTools: https://github.com/LovesWorking/rn-better-dev-tools

#070 - React Native Version Hell, React Server Components with Expo & Invoice App Updates

Simon Grimm — Thu, 22 May 2025 06:00:00 +0200

No big news besides the RC of React Native 0.80, which gives us time to talk about the current version hell for React Native developers, and a great new Expo DevTool for everyone using TanStack Query!

Also in this episode:
- RSCs are underrated
- Preview of Dead Simple Invoice App
- Apple doesn't like my app
- Open Water Swimming & Cold Water Shock

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos
https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials
https://x.com/schlimmson
https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr
https://bsky.app/profile/galaxies.dev

🔗 Links
React Native 0.80 rc2: https://github.com/facebook/react-native/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md
TanStack Query DevTools: https://github.com/TanStack/query/pull/8846
React Native Better DevTools: https://github.com/LovesWorking/rn-better-dev-tools
React Native Essentials - Drawer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65xmaJNpZVY

#069 - Expo Router v5, Skia WebGPU, App Updates & Galaxies Lifetime

Simon Grimm — Thu, 15 May 2025 06:00:00 +0200

Expo Router v5 was released, which dramatically improves authentication flows and finally allows to use RSC in production - although still in beta. Beyond that William Candillon shared epic updates about Skia and WebGPU, making even more powerful React Native apps possible in the future.

Also in this episode:
- Galaxies Lifetime pricing with one-time payment
- Receiving Feedback on Podcast & Apps
- Sharing my next app projects
- Flutter devs love React Native

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos
https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials
https://x.com/schlimmson
https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr
https://bsky.app/profile/galaxies.dev

🔗 Links
Expo Router v5: https://expo.dev/blog/expo-router-v5
Shared Element Transitions: https://x.com/BBloniarz_/status/1919390653856829566
Skia Announcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9t-VXwIc4I
Apple punishing apps? https://x.com/maric_viktor/status/1922006170601939221
Khalids Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH5gnjrs_pI

#068 - Expo SDK 53 Highlights, React Native AI, Worklets & No Apple App Store Commissions

Simon Grimm — Thu, 08 May 2025 06:00:00 +0200

Expo SDK 53 was released after a short beta with many great new features, there are new AI packages for React Native to talk about and meanwhile Apple lost an important lawsuit that allows developers to make 30% more money with their apps!

Also in this episode:
- Why sleep recovery is critical for everyone
- Next Galaxies Mission
- New Galaxies Tools & Apps

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos
https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials
https://x.com/schlimmson
https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr
https://bsky.app/profile/galaxies.dev

🔗 Links
Expo SDK 53: https://expo.dev/changelog/sdk-53
React Native AI: https://github.com/callstackincubator/ai
WebGPU Worklets: https://github.com/software-mansion-labs/react-native-webgpu-worklets
Web Payments on iOS: https://expo.dev/blog/mobile-app-payment-processing-best-practices

#067 - Quitting React Native, React Compiler, Legend List & React Native Performance

Simon Grimm — Thu, 01 May 2025 06:00:00 +0200

React Compiler reached release candidate, LegendList v1 is finally released and Evan Bacon shares React Native performance tips - meanwhile Simon questions his existence and whether React Native was the right choice after all

Also in this episode:
- How I use Convex and ElevenLabs to build a Captions clone
- Why are you not using AI?
- My vacation in Copenhagen
- New App sales and motivation
- Galaxies.dev merch

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos
https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials
https://x.com/schlimmson
https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr
https://bsky.app/profile/galaxies.dev

🔗 Links
Legend List: https://github.com/LegendApp/legend-list
Typegpu-confetti: https://github.com/software-mansion-labs/typegpu-confetti
React Compiler RC: https://react.dev/blog/2025/04/21/react-compiler-rc
Expo Performance Tutorial: https://expo.dev/blog/best-practices-for-reducing-lag-in-expo-apps

#066 - Expo 53 BETA, FlashList v2, React Native Popularity, App Sales & OTA Alternative

Simon Grimm — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0200

The Expo SDK 53 Beta was released, FlashList v2 is a complete rewrite and is React Native actually popular? I dive into the latest news from the React Native community, and share updates on the projects I'm working on.

Also in this episode:
- How I use Convex and ElevenLabs to build a Captions clone
- Why are you not using AI?
- My vacation in Copenhagen
- New App sales and motivation
- Galaxies.dev merch

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos
https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials
https://x.com/schlimmson
https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr
https://bsky.app/profile/galaxies.dev

🔗 Links
Expo SDK 53 beta: https://expo.dev/changelog/sdk-53-beta
Expo UI Package: https://docs.expo.dev/versions/unversioned/sdk/ui/
FlashList v2 alpha: https://github.com/Shopify/flash-list/tree/new-rlv-prototype
React Native Fantom: https://github.com/facebook/react-native/blob/main/packages/react-native-fantom/__docs__/README.md
Convex Chef: https://news.convex.dev/meet-chef/
Galaxies Merch: https://x.com/schlimmson/status/1913504363877662851
Hot Updater: https://github.com/gronxb/hot-updater
Jamon's reaction to the RN video: https://x.com/jamonholmgren/status/1913611094649897406

#065 - Expo SDK 53 Preview, RevenueCat Paywalls, AI Images & Gemini

Simon Grimm — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0200

What's coming with Expo SDK 53? I dive into the latest news, trends and upcoming features of Expo and React Native, and share updates on the projects I'm working on.

Also in this episode:
- How RevenueCat Paywalls make my life better
- I talked with Google
- "Is this sponsored by Expo?"
- AI Image Trends

💰 Try RevenueCat: https://get.revenuecat.com/podcast

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos
https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials
https://x.com/schlimmson
https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr
https://bsky.app/profile/galaxies.dev

🔗 Links
Evan Bacon better error: https://x.com/Baconbrix/status/1907891900935249955
RevenueCat: https://get.revenuecat.com/rocketship
Expo Peak Productivity Video: https://youtu.be/acj7-3-EQWM

#064 - Time for Change (App Updates, Vercel AI SDK & TikTok)

Simon Grimm — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 06:00:00 +0200

I'm changing the format of RocketShip! Learn all about why and what changes, the new times and topics we will talk about. This podcast will continue to be primarily about React Native, but also about shipping great apps, using AI and news for mobile devs!

Also in this episode:
- My latest app projects
- My first experience with the Vercel AI SDK in Expo apps
- Personal branding stories from Simon
- Behind the scenes of a creator.

🚀 Learn React Native: https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

🔥 Weekly Videos
https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev

❤️ Socials
https://x.com/schlimmson
https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr
https://bsky.app/profile/galaxies.dev

#063 - From Idea to App using Replit with Matt Palmer

Simon Grimm — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this conversation, Simon Grimm and Matt Palmer discuss the capabilities and evolution of Replit, a platform that allows developers to quickly turn ideas into applications using AI tools. They explore the features of Replit, including its ability to create full stack applications, the integration of AI, and the unique advantages it offers compared to other development tools. The discussion also touches on the possibilities and limitations of using Replit for various types of projects. In this conversation, Simon and Matt discuss the challenges of managing Python environments and the advantages of using Replit for development. They explore how developers can integrate various tools into their workflows, the benefits of building with AI for rapid prototyping, and the importance of effective prompt engineering. The discussion also touches on the future collaboration between Replit and Expo, highlighting the evolving landscape of software development.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Matt Palmer
Matt leads developer relations and product marketing at Replit, creating everything from tutorials to technical content. He got his start in data, working as a product analyst at AllTrails before moving to data engineering and eventually DevRel.

He's worked on content with companies like LinkedIn, O'Reilly Media, xAI and Y Combinator. Outside of work, you can find him lifting weights or exploring the outdoors. Matt currently lives in San Francisco, but hails from Asheville, North Carolina.

Links

Replit: https://replit.com/
Replit X: https://x.com/replit
Replit YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@replit
Replit Expo / React Native template: https://replit.com/@replit/Expo
Replit Sign-up: https://replit.com
Expo tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLto9KpJAqHMRuHwQ9OUjkVgZ69efpvslM
Expo Blog: https://expo.dev/blog/from-idea-to-app-with-replit-and-expo

Takeaways

Replit allows developers to create applications quickly and efficiently.
AI integration in Replit enhances the development process.
The platform supports multiple programming languages, primarily JavaScript and Python.
Replit's workspace is designed for ease of use, requiring no installations.
Users can deploy applications with a single click.
Replit is evolving rapidly with advancements in AI technology.
The platform is suitable for both beginners and experienced developers.
Replit's unique features set it apart from other development tools.
The community around Replit is growing, with increasing interest and usage.
Building complex applications still requires significant effort and planning. Python environments can be cumbersome for developers.
Replit excels in managing single directory projects.
AI can significantly speed up the prototyping process.
Disposable software allows for quick iterations and testing.
Effective prompt engineering can enhance AI outputs.
Developers should focus on minimum viable prompts for efficiency.
Replit's integration with Expo is a promising development.
AI tools can help in learning and understanding code better.
Collaboration between tools can streamline the development process.
Keeping up with new tools and technologies is essential for developers.

#062 - Navigation, Styling & The State of React Native with Beto

Simon Grimm — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, Simon and Beto discuss the latest findings from the State of React Native survey, highlighting trends in developer backgrounds, platform usage, income levels, and the evolving landscape of libraries and tools in the React Native ecosystem. They delve into the increasing popularity of local storage solutions, deep linking, and the rise of Zustand in state management, while also addressing the challenges and opportunities for solo developers in the mobile app space. In this conversation, Beto and Simon discuss the current state and future of React Native, focusing on various aspects such as Expo Router usage, styling trends, graphics and animations, component libraries, debugging tools, architecture adoption, build processes, AI in code generation, and community sentiment. They highlight the improvements in developer experience and the shift towards a more native approach in React Native development.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Alberto Moedano

Beto X: https://twitter.com/betomoedano
Beto YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@codewithbeto
Code with Beto Courses: https://codewithbeto.dev/

Links

State of React Native Survey: https://results.stateofreactnative.com/en-US/

Takeaways

The State of React Native survey had over 3,000 participants, indicating growing interest.
A significant number of React Native developers come from backend backgrounds.
Solo developers can effectively use Expo and React Native to build apps.
The trend towards local-first applications is gaining traction in the developer community.
Deep linking is becoming increasingly important for app navigation.
Zustand is rising in popularity as a state management solution.
Inline styling remains a popular choice among developers.
Expo is working on a new UI component library to enhance native app development.
The future of data syncing and local storage solutions looks promising with new technologies. ExpoRouter is seeing increased usage and feedback is being actively incorporated.
Styling in React Native is evolving, with inline styles gaining popularity due to AI tools.
Graphics and animations are best handled with libraries like Reanimated and Skia.
Component libraries are declining, indicating a shift towards more flexible styling solutions.
Debugging tools are improving, with new options like Radon IDE and Atlas for Expo.
The adoption of the new React Native architecture is growing, with many developers migrating successfully.
EAS build is the preferred method for building applications, offering automation and a free tier.
AI is becoming a significant part of the coding process, with many developers relying on it for code generation.
Cross-platform frameworks are consolidating, with React Native and Flutter leading the way.
The community sentiment around React Native is positive, with excitement for future developments.

#061 - Shipping Successful AI Apps with Your Average Tech Bro

Simon Grimm — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this conversation, Simon Grimm interviews Dohyun Kim, known as YourAverageTechBro, about his journey as an app developer and content creator. They discuss the challenges and successes in building apps, the importance of marketing, and the technologies used in app development, including React Native, Supabase, and AI tools. Dohyun shares insights on his most successful app, Montee, and the strategies behind its development and marketing, as well as the lessons learned from previous projects. In this conversation, Dohyun discusses the development of his app, Montee, focusing on the use of Next.js and Supabase for differentiation and backend management. He shares insights on API security, handling costs, and user management strategies. The importance of action bias in development is emphasized, along with ideation and keyword research strategies. The discussion also covers social media marketing tactics and preferences between web and mobile app development.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Dohyun Kim

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YourAverageTechBro
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@youraveragetechbro
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youraveragetechbro
X: https://x.com/youravgtechbro

Links

Montee: https://www.montee.ai
Perfect Interview: https://www.perfectinterview.ai
Gemini: https://ai.google.dev/

Takeaways

Dohyun prefers using technologies that allow for rapid development and shipping.
He believes in copying successful ideas rather than focusing on originality.
Montee, his AI meeting recorder app, achieved $1,500 in monthly recurring revenue shortly after launch.
Dohyun discusses the challenges of app growth and the impact of churn on revenue.
He highlights the importance of effective marketing strategies for app success.
Dohyun prefers Supabase over Firebase for its relational database capabilities and better documentation.
He shares insights on the technology stack used for PerfectInterview.ai, including Next.js and Gemini.
Dohyun believes that app growth is often a series of step functions rather than exponential growth. Copy first and differentiate second is a key strategy.
API keys should never be exposed in client-side code.
User requests should always be traceable to prevent abuse.
Action bias is crucial for shipping apps.
Keyword research is not the only way to ideate apps.
Social media marketing can drive app visibility.
Instagram is currently more explosive for growth than TikTok.
Web apps allow for faster updates and cash flow management.
Developers should focus on building value-adding features.
It's important to distinguish between fun projects and income-generating apps.

#060 - Module Federation, RSCs & Universal Apps with Jack Herrington

Simon Grimm — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode of Rocket Ship, Simon Grimm interviews Jack Herrington, a prominent figure in the React Native and Next.js communities. They discuss the challenges and changes in the React Native ecosystem, and the exciting developments around Module Federation and React Server Components (RSCs). Jack shares his experiences with React Native, the benefits of using Expo, and the performance gains associated with RSCs. The conversation also touches on the skepticism surrounding new technologies and the gradual adoption within the industry. In this conversation, Simon and Jack discuss the evolving landscape of React Server Components (RSCs), the impact of AI on app customization, and the rise of AI-driven development tools. They explore the integration of ShadCN, the future of universal apps, and compare RSCs with other frameworks like Svelte and Solid. The discussion highlights the challenges and innovations in the development community, particularly in relation to state management and the potential for AI to transform user experiences. They also delve into the ongoing debate between React Native and Flutter, highlight new features in React 19, and explore the potential of building custom Chrome extensions.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Jack Herrington

Links

Frontend Fire Podcast: https://front-end-fire.com/
Pro Next.js Course: https://www.pronextjs.dev/
Zephyr: https://www.zephyr-cloud.io/

Takeaways

Module Federation allows for remote module updates without app store submissions.
RSCs can improve performance by reducing client-side rendering time.
The adoption of RSCs in the industry is slow due to existing codebases and frameworks.
Jack's journey with React Native has been cyclical, returning to it multiple times.
Performance gains with RSCs can be significant, especially on slower devices.
Skepticism exists around new technologies like RSCs, impacting their adoption.
Incremental adoption paths for frameworks can ease transitions for large companies. RSCs are still in development and face challenges.
AI can significantly enhance app customization for users.
Cursor is a popular AI-driven development tool that many developers prefer.
ShadCN offers exciting possibilities for UI infrastructure.
The concept of universal apps is becoming more feasible.
The development landscape is shifting towards AI integration.
Frameworks like Quick handle hydration differently than React.
Solid and Svelte have similar functionalities to RSCs.
AI models require extensive code examples for effective training.
Zustand is gaining popularity in state management. Zustand has gained popularity as a state management library.
Atomic state management allows for automatic updates based on dependencies.
Choosing the right state management tool depends on the application's needs.
React 19 introduces significant changes, especially with RSCs.
Building custom Chrome extensions can enhance productivity and provide unique solutions.
The debate between React Native and Flutter continues with no clear winner.
Using the simplest state management solution is often the best approach.
Understanding the context of your application is crucial for state management decisions.

#059 - Expo Router, RSC & DOM Components with Evan Bacon

Simon Grimm — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, Simon Grimm welcomes Evan Bacon, the manager of DevTools at Expo, to discuss the latest developments in Expo, including the Expo Router, Expo Web, and the new React Server Components. Evan shares insights on the adoption of Expo Router, the future of Expo Web, and the exciting potential of DOM components. The conversation highlights the challenges and innovations in building universal apps and the importance of making app development accessible to all. In this conversation, Simon and Evan Bacon delve into the evolving landscape of app development with a focus on Expo, React Native, and the introduction of new technologies like RSC and EAS hosting. They discuss the challenges developers face with App Store reviews, the skepticism surrounding new features, and the future of server components. The conversation also highlights the potential of Expo targets for Apple and the exciting possibilities of building widgets and live activities. As they look ahead, they express optimism about the advancements in Expo and the broader React Native ecosystem.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Evan Bacon

Links

RSC Code Example App: https://github.com/EvanBacon/expo-rsc-movies
Expo RSC: https://docs.expo.dev/guides/server-components/
EAS Hosting: https://expo.dev/eas

Takeaways

Expo Router has been well received in the React Native community.
The goal of Expo Router is to enable server-driven UI for developers.
Expo Web has improved significantly with features like tree shaking and API routes..
Expo Router version 4 is set to finalize the core features of the router.
Expo Web is being actively used in new projects at Expo.
DOM components allow for easier migration from web to native apps.
React Server Components are currently in developer preview, with exciting potential.
Skepticism towards new technologies is common but can change over time.
RSC allows for running JavaScript not currently on the client.
OTA updates are useful for caching and background fetching.
EAS hosting provides a flexible solution for deploying apps.
Expo targets for Apple enable the creation of various extensions.
Widgets can communicate with apps via NSUser defaults.
Real-time updates in widgets require clever workarounds.
Expo's future includes more components and improved UI design.
The integration of AI tools will enhance the development experience.

#058 - React Native Games & Animations with Ben Awad

Simon Grimm — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this conversation, Simon Grimm interviews Ben Awad, a successful YouTuber and co-founder of the app Voidpet. They discuss Ben's journey from content creation to app development, the challenges and successes he faced, and the technical aspects of building his applications. The conversation also touches on the importance of user experience, monetization strategies, and the evolution of Ben's career in the tech industry. In this conversation, Ben Awad discusses his experiences and insights into React Native, game development, and the integration of AI tools in programming. He shares his journey from Android development to embracing React Native, the challenges of real-time gaming, and the evolution of the developer experience. Ben also touches on animation techniques in game development, his literary interests, and the future of his projects, including Voidpet and the Voidlog series.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Ben Awad

Ben X: https://x.com/benawad
Ben YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bawad
Ben Github: https://github.com/benawad

Links

Voidpet: https://voidpet.com
Voidpet garden: https://voidpet.com/o/garden
Hands of Greed book: https://handsofgreed.com

Takeaways

Ben Awad transitioned from YouTube content creation to app development.
Voidpet gained popularity on TikTok before any code was written.
He has learned from both successful and failed projects.
The Voidpet app focuses on mental health themes.
Ben's cooking app, Saffron, is still active and successful.
He emphasizes the importance of user experience in app development.
Ben uses a simple tech stack for his apps to avoid over-engineering.
He believes that offline capabilities in apps are not always necessary.
Ben prefers native styling in React Native over other styles.
A time API is essential for validating timestamps in games.
Ben's early experiences with Android development were frustrating.
React Native's developer experience has significantly improved over the years.
Real-time gaming in React Native presents unique challenges.
Animation techniques are crucial for enhancing game visuals.
Choosing React Native for game development was a strategic decision.
AI tools have become integral to Ben's coding workflow.

#057 - The Time for React Native is Now

Simon Grimm — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0100

In this solo episode, Simon shares the new Galaxies.dev Zero to Hero Mission and why now is the best time to learn React Native. From New Architecture to Debugging, Expo, and companies in the ecosystem, this podcast will reinforce your drive to build and ship awesome React Native apps in 2025!

Join React Native Zero to Hero - https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero

#056 - Bluesky's React Native App & AT Protocol with Samuel Newman

Simon Grimm — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In this conversation, Simon Grimm interviews Samuel Newman, a developer at Bluesky, discussing his journey from university to app development, the intricacies of the Bluesky app and its underlying AT protocol, and the challenges and solutions encountered in enhancing user experience with React Native. They explore the role of Expo in app development, the importance of open-source contributions, and the future of Bluesky as it aims for significant user growth.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Samuel Newman

Samuel Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/samuel.bsky.team
Samuel X: https://x.com/mozzius
Samuel personal: https://samuel.felixnewman.com/
Samuel Github: https://github.com/mozzius

Links

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/
AT Protocol: https://atproto.com/
AT Proto Browser: https://atproto-browser.vercel.app/

Takeaways

Samuel built a client for Bluesky before joining the team.
Bluesky is a microblogging app built on the AT protocol.
The AT protocol allows users to control their own data.
The Bluesky app reached number one on the app store.
Samuel's team faced numerous bugs in the app's development.
They switched to a native bottom sheet for better performance.
React Native requires a different mindset for developers.
The AT protocol enables developers to build their own backends.
Users genuinely own their data with the AD protocol.

#055 - Why Companies use React Native, Job Interviews & Open Source Trends with Jamon Holmgren

Simon Grimm — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In this conversation, Simon Grimm interviews Jamon Holmgren, co-founder of Infinite Red, discussing the evolution and advantages of React Native in mobile app development. They explore the early adoption of React Native, its comparison with Flutter, the job market for developers, and the importance of open source contributions in the tech industry. Jamon shares insights from his extensive coding experience and the strategic decisions that led Infinite Red to focus on React Native. They delve into the Ignite boilerplate for React Native development, the importance of choosing the right tech stack, and the utility of Reactotron as a developer tool.

The discussion also touches on hiring trends in the React Native space, emphasizing the need for cultural fit and the unique hiring process at Infinite Red. In this conversation, Jamon and Simon discuss the importance of building a lasting company culture, essential skills for React Native developers, the significance of self-evaluation and continuous learning, effective networking and job searching strategies in tech, the future of React Native in the context of AI, and the trend towards universal applications while maintaining user experience.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Jamon Holmgren

Jamon X: https://x.com/jamonholmgren
Jamon personal: https://jamon.dev/
Jamon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamonholmgren/
Jamon Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamon.dev

Links

Infinite Red: https://infinite.red/
React Native Radio: https://reactnativeradio.com/
Ignite: https://github.com/infinitered/ignite
Reactotron: https://github.com/infinitered/reactotron

Takeaways

Infinite Red was founded through collaboration in open source.
React Native was chosen for its cross-platform capabilities.
React Native allows for significant code reuse, often exceeding expectations.
The community around React Native is a major strength.
Open source contributions can accelerate product development.
Companies are increasingly investing in open source for strategic benefits.
The job market favors React Native developers due to its widespread use.
Ignite serves as a valuable resource for React Native developers.
Ignite serves as a reliable boilerplate for React Native projects.
Choosing the right tech stack can simplify development processes.
Reactotron offers unique features that enhance the debugging experience.
The UI of Reactotron needs improvement to appeal to developers.
Hiring at Infinite Red focuses on cultural fit and seniority.
Self-evaluation during the hiring process is crucial for accurate assessment.
The job market for React Native developers is becoming more competitive. Building a company culture that encourages long-term relationships is crucial.
Investing in employees and understanding their needs fosters loyalty.
React Native developers should focus on performance and state management skills.
Self-evaluation helps identify areas for improvement and training needs.
Networking is essential for job searching in tech.
Active engagement on social media can enhance job prospects.
AI will significantly impact the future of software development.
Universal applications should prioritize user experience over uniformity.
Convergence of tools is beneficial, but UI patterns must remain platform-specific.
Continuous learning and adaptation are key to thriving in tech.

#054 - React Native Music Game with Kim Chouard (Skia, NativeWind, Expo AV)

Simon Grimm — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In this conversation, Simon Grimm interviews Kim Chouard, a developer and educator, about his journey in coding, the challenges of building a multiplatform music game using React Native, and the innovative app Odisei Play that aims to help users learn to play wind instruments. Kim shares insights on the creative aspects of coding, the evolution of React Native, and the technology stack behind Odisei Play, including audio handling and pitch recognition. The discussion highlights the importance of education, creativity, and community in the tech space. In this conversation, Kim Chouard discusses the evolving landscape of development tools, particularly focusing on AI tools and their implications for new developers. He shares insights on the Expo audio package and the challenges faced in audio synchronization within applications. The discussion also delves into the use of Skia for performance optimization in React Native applications, highlighting its capabilities and the need for better documentation. Finally, Kim emphasizes the importance of a web-first approach in React Native development, advocating for a unified community that leverages the strengths of both web and mobile development.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Kim Chouard

Kim X: https://x.com/KimChouard
Kim personal: https://chouard.kim/
Kim LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimchouard/

Links

Odisei Music's website (creator of Odisei Play): https://odiseimusic.com/
Kim AppJS Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGvhniTxpu4&ab_channel=SoftwareMansion
Expo AV: https://docs.expo.dev/versions/latest/sdk/av/
Chromatic: https://www.chromatic.com/
Storybook: https://storybook.js.org/

Takeaways

Kim's mission is to leverage games for alternative education.
Coding can be a creative process, not just technical.
Building a music game requires precise timing and performance.
React Native's rapid evolution presents both opportunities and challenges.
Odisei Play aims to make learning wind instruments accessible and fun.
The app combines elements of gamification and music education.
Skia is crucial for the performance of the Odisei Play app.
Bluetooth technology can be optimized for real-time music applications.
AI tools like Cursor can enhance coding efficiency.
Community support is vital for navigating the fast-paced tech landscape. AI tools can accelerate development but may lead to inconsistencies.
Expo AV is the only production-ready audio library available now, although it has some limitation
New opportunities of more robust alternatives for audio handling are on the horizon (expo-audio, react-native audio, etc.)
Audio synchronization remains a significant challenge in app development.
Skia provides a powerful canvas for creating high-performance applications.
The integration of web technologies can enhance React Native development.
Community collaboration is essential for overcoming development hurdles.
Real-time audio recognition is complex and requires advanced algorithms.
A web-first approach can simplify the development process for React Native.
The React Native community is passionate and supportive.
Future advancements in 3D and game development are on the horizon.

#053 - Why Accessibility in React Native matters with Britta Evans-Fenton

Simon Grimm — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In this conversation, Simon Grimm and Britta Evans-Fenton discuss the importance of accessibility in React Native and mobile development. Britta shares her personal journey into accessibility, motivated by her grandmother's experience with macular degeneration. They explore the definition of accessibility, the consequences of neglecting it, and the various tools and features available to enhance accessibility in mobile applications. The discussion emphasizes the need for inclusivity in technology and the potential legal implications of failing to comply with accessibility standards. In this conversation, Simon and Britta Evans-Fenton delve into the complexities of accessibility in React Native applications. They discuss the current state of accessibility resources, practical steps developers can take to improve accessibility in their apps, and the importance of community awareness. Britta emphasizes the need for a mindset shift among developers to prioritize accessibility, considering the growing number of users who will require these features in the future. The conversation also touches on potential improvements for accessibility tools and APIs in React Native.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Britta Evans-Fenton

Britta X: https://x.com/13ritta
Britta LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britta-evans-fenton/

Links

Accessibility Cheat Sheet: https://scanqr.to/5e270983
Crafting an Inclusive Shopify Point of Sale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoFnQQj4g1A
AccessibilityInfo API: https://reactnative.dev/docs/accessibilityinfo

Takeaways

Accessibility is crucial for creating inclusive technology.
Personal experiences can drive a passion for accessibility.
Understanding accessibility benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities.
The European Accessibility Act will impose fines for non-compliance.
Companies can gain customers by prioritizing accessibility.
Accessibility features include screen readers and voice control.
There are various layers to accessibility beyond visual impairments.
Developers should be aware of both iOS and Android accessibility nuances.
Using accessibility tools can enhance user experience for all.
Accessibility is about removing barriers for all users. There is a lack of resources on accessibility in React Native compared to web development.
Many developers do not consider accessibility because they do not have disabilities themselves.
Grouping components can significantly improve accessibility for users with screen readers.
Accessibility labels and roles are crucial for making interactive elements understandable.
Overloading elements with unnecessary labels can confuse users, especially those with partial vision.
Testing apps manually can help identify accessibility issues.
Keeping labels concise is essential for effective communication with screen readers.
Building a community around accessibility awareness is vital for improvement.
The aging population will increasingly require accessible technology.
Developers should engage with local organizations to better understand accessibility needs.

#052 - Styling, RSC, Expo, Universal Apps, EAS, Debugging, Strict DOM, React Native Q&A

Simon Grimm — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0200

What are my top 3 libraries? Which styling solution is the best? How can we build better universal apps for web, iOS and Android? In this special Q&A episode I answered tons of your questions about the current state of React Native, Expo and the future improvements like RSC or Expo DOM components and react-strict-dom.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Links

https://docs.swmansion.com/react-native-reanimated/
https://gorhom.dev/react-native-bottom-sheet/blog/bottom-sheet-v5
https://zeego.dev/
https://docs.expo.dev/build-reference/variables/
https://podcast.galaxies.dev/episodes/051-react-native-brownfield-integration-with-mariusz-stanisz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OT5hQbvGRW8&ab_channel=SimonGrimm
https://docs.expo.dev/guides/analyzing-bundles/
https://docs.expo.dev/review/overview/#internal-distribution-with-eas-build
https://docs.expo.dev/eas-update/getting-started/#configure-the-update-channel
https://tamagui.dev/
https://onestack.dev/
https://www.nativewind.dev/

Takeaways

Reanimated is a core library for React Native projects.
TypeScript is recommended for better reliability in mobile development.
Secret keys should not be stored in the app's code or .env files.
Using a server to store sensitive keys is a safer approach.
Integrating React Native into existing apps can be challenging but rewarding.
Unistyles is a powerful styling solution for React Native.
Expo is widely adopted and offers many advantages for new projects.
Ejecting from Expo is no longer necessary with pre-builds.
Reducing app size often involves optimizing images and assets.
EAS updates can streamline workflows for larger teams.

#051 - React Native Brownfield Integration with Mariusz Stanisz

Simon Grimm — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 06:00:00 +0200

In this conversation, Simon Grimm interviews Mariusz Stanisz, a React Native developer, about the complexities and challenges of Brownfield integration in mobile applications. Mariusz shares his experiences, insights, and the potential benefits of integrating React Native into existing native applications. The discussion covers the technical aspects of integration, communication between native and React Native apps, and the future of Brownfield integration in the React Native ecosystem.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Mariusz Stanisz

Mariusz X: https://x.com/staszekscp_
Mariusz GitHub: https://github.com/staszekscp

Links

Mariusz AppJS Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOg29UnIMMA&ab_channel=SoftwareMansion
React Native Brownfield Docs: https://reactnative.dev/docs/integration-with-existing-apps
React Native Brownfield Tools: https://github.com/callstack/react-native-brownfield

Takeaways

Brownfield integration allows for gradual migration to React Native.
Challenges arise from integrating into existing large native applications.
Communication between native and React Native can be achieved through various methods.
Brownfield integration is not widely used, making resources scarce.
The integration process can speed up development significantly.
Hot Reload works well in simple applications during integration.
React Native's new architecture presents both opportunities and challenges.
Documentation and community support for Brownfield integration need improvement.
Testing and debugging can be more complex in Brownfield scenarios.

#050 - New Arch, JSI, Native Modules & Rust with Oscar Franco

Simon Grimm — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +0200

In this conversation, Simon Grimm interviews Oskar Franco about the new architecture in React Native. They discuss the current bridge concept, the need for a new architecture, and the three main components of the new architecture: Fabric, JSI, and CodeGen. They also talk about the challenges and benefits of migrating to the new architecture, the use of host objects, and how to create a new architecture-ready native module with JSI. In this conversation, Oscar Franco discusses different module systems in React Native, including Turbo Modules, Expo Modules, and Nitro Modules. He explains that Turbo Modules came with a new architecture and offer benefits such as code generation and lazy initialization. Expo Modules are easy to initialize but may have performance issues for certain use cases. Nitro Modules, are considered the fastest alternative. Oscar also talks about using Rust in React Native and the benefits it provides, such as memory safety and better tooling. He created the OP-SQLite library, which is claimed to be the fastest SQLite library for React Native.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Oscar Franco

Oscar X: https://x.com/ospfranco
Oscar website: https://ospfranco.com/
Oscar GitHub: https://github.com/ospfranco
Oscar YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ospfranco

Links

About the New Architecture: https://reactnative.dev/docs/the-new-architecture/landing-page
React Native Bridgeless Mode for Dummies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5HBIKAjZ4U
React Native Builder Bob: https://github.com/callstack/react-native-builder-bob
OP-Sqlite: https://github.com/OP-Engineering/op-sqlite

Takeaways

The current bridge concept in React Native uses JSON serialization, which can become a bottleneck for performance.
The new architecture in React Native includes Fabric, JSI, and CodeGen, which aim to improve performance and provide better interoperability between JavaScript and native code.
Migrating to the new architecture can be challenging, especially for larger projects and dependencies that are not updated for the new architecture.
The use of host objects allows for the creation of hybrid objects that have both native and JavaScript functionality.
Creating a new architecture-ready native module with JSI can be facilitated by using tools like React Native Builder Bob.
Turbo Modules offer benefits such as code generation and lazy initialization, but setting them up can be painful.
Expo Modules are easy to initialize and portable, but they may have performance issues for certain use cases.
Nitro Modules, developed by Marc Rousavy, are considered the fastest alternative.
Rust is a memory-safe language with integrated tooling and is becoming popular for writing SDKs for React Native.
OP-SQLite is a fast SQLite library for React Native that uses host objects for improved performance.

#049 - Migrating to Expo from RNC CLI & Testing Libraries with Steve Galili

Simon Grimm — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 06:00:00 +0200

Steve Galili, lead software engineer at MyWheels, discusses the transition from the React Native Community CLI to Expo for their car-sharing platform. He highlights the benefits of Expo, such as easier development and maintenance, and the challenges of convincing the team and management to make the switch. Steve also shares insights into the technology stack of the MyWheels app, including a back office admin tool, a B2B portal, and the core app. He mentions the future plan to migrate to Expo router and the importance of prioritizing core functionality during the migration process. Steve also shares the benefits of using Expo, such as faster builds and easier onboarding for web developers. He then highlights the importance of testing in React Native and introduces the React Native Testing repository he created. Steve expresses his excitement for React Server Components in React Native and the potential improvements they can bring to the MyWheels app.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Steve Galili

Steve X: https://x.com/vanGalilea
Steve website: https://stevegalili.com/
Steve GitHub: https://github.com/vanGalilea/

Links

MyWheels' Journey from RNC CLI to Expo: https://expo.dev/blog/from-rnc-cli-to-expo
MyWheels: https://mywheels.nl/en
React Native Testing: https://github.com/vanGalilea/react-native-testing
Mock Service Worker: https://mswjs.io/

Takeaways

The transition from React Native Community CLI to Expo can bring benefits such as easier development and maintenance.
Convincing the team and management to make the switch to Expo can be a challenge, but highlighting the issues with the current setup and the potential improvements can help.
During the migration process, it's important to prioritize core functionality and make decisions based on the impact on users and other apps. Expo offers benefits such as faster builds and easier onboarding for web developers.
Front-end Innovation Days provide dedicated time for developers to work on innovative projects.
Testing is important in React Native, and the React Native Testing repository provides practical examples and resources.
Maestro and MSW are useful tools for testing and mocking API calls in React Native.
React Server Components in React Native have the potential to improve app performance and security.

#048 - MLKit & The React Native Paradox with Gant Laborde

Simon Grimm — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +0200

In this conversation, Simon Grimm interviews Gant Laborde, CIO at Infinite Red, about his role, his sci-fi novel, and the React Native Paradox. Gant explores the reasons behind React Native's success and its consistency and care as key factors. They also touch on the competition between React Native and Flutter, and the challenges faced by Google in maintaining consistency and community support. In this conversation, Gant Laborde discusses the future of AI and its integration into mobile and web projects. He highlights the importance of understanding the business logic and using AI as a feature to enhance the user experience. Gant also explains ML Kit, a Google initiative that provides pre-trained models for image and text recognition, face detection, and more. He emphasizes the need for developers to explore and experiment with AI to discover innovative ways to improve their products. Gant encourages developers to think about how AI can add value and increase the quality of life for users.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Gant Laborde

Links

The React Native Paradox (Chain React 2024): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo2LjKJp0aA&list=PLFHvL21g9bk0XOO9XK6d6S9w1jBU6Dz_U&index=6
React Native Ignite: Building an AI app: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivfXKYPS6Xw&list=PLSk21zn8fFZDMGB9UCnqz4WqLbnOgLnp5&index=3
Infinite Red React Native ML Kit template: https://github.com/infinitered/react-native-mlkit
Google ML Kit: https://developers.google.com/ml-kit

Takeaways

As CIO at Infinite Red, Gant's role is to drive innovation and explore new technologies for the company.
The React Native Paradox refers to the success of React Native despite other technologies attempting to bring web technology to mobile.
Consistency and care are key factors in the success of React Native.
Flutter, while popular, faces challenges due to Google's history of discontinuing projects and lack of consistency.
The community support and open-source nature of React Native contribute to its longevity and adoption.
Google's focus on multiple technologies and lack of consistency can hinder the success of its projects.
Long-term success in technology requires multi-generational thinking and community support. AI is becoming an integral part of mobile and web projects, and its integration should focus on enhancing the user experience and adding value to the product.
ML Kit, a Google initiative, provides pre-trained models for various AI tasks such as image and text recognition, face detection, and more.
Developers should explore and experiment with AI to discover innovative ways to improve their products and solve real-world problems.
Understanding the business logic and the problem being solved is crucial for effectively integrating AI into projects.

#047 - Challenges of Building an On-call App with Rory Bain

Simon Grimm — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 06:00:00 +0200

In this conversation, Simon interviews Rory Bain, a product engineer at Incident.io, about his experience building a multi-platform on-call mobile app using React Native. Rory shares his background in native mobile app development and his transition to React Native. They discuss the reasons for choosing React Native over frameworks like Flutter or Kotlin Multiplatform. Rory also explains the process of developing the on-call app, including the use of Expo and the challenges of implementing push notifications and critical alerts on Android. They also dive into the differences between iOS and Android development, the use of libraries like Tailwind and SWR, the challenges of CI/CD integration, and debugging issues with Expo's EAS.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Rory Bain

Rory X: https://x.com/rorybain
Rory GitHub: https://github.com/rorydbain

Links

Building a multi-platform on-call mobile app: https://incident.io/hubs/building-on-call/building-a-multi-platform-on-call-mobile-app
Behind the Flame: Rory: https://incident.io/blog/behind-the-flame-rory
incident.io On-call: https://incident.io/on-call
Vercel SWR: https://github.com/vercel/swr

Takeaways

The on-call mobile app at Incident.io was developed using React Native and Expo, which allowed for quick prototyping and hot reloading.
Choosing React Native over other frameworks like Flutter or Kotlin Multiplatform was influenced by the familiarity with JavaScript and web-based tooling, as well as the desire for a native feel on each platform.
Implementing push notifications and critical alerts on Android required writing custom native modules and using data-only notifications to wake up the app and display the notifications.
The use of Expo and managed projects simplified the development process and eliminated the need for developers to install Android Studio or Xcode. Building a multi-platform on-call mobile app requires considering the differences between iOS and Android development.
Libraries like Tailwind and SWR can enhance the development experience and provide consistent styling and API handling across platforms.
Integrating CI/CD for mobile apps can be challenging, especially when dealing with versioning and remote updates.
Debugging issues with Expo's EAS may require trial and error and using local build processes to identify and resolve problems.

#046 - Developing React Native TV Apps with Giovanni Laquidara

Simon Grimm — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0200

In this conversation, Simon Grimm interviews Giovanni Laquidara, a developer advocate at Amazon, about TV app development with React Native. Giovanni shares his experience working with React Native at Amazon and explains how React Native can be used to develop TV apps. He also discusses the challenges and considerations when developing for TV, such as the 10-foot UI, navigation, and remote control interaction. Giovanni recommends using separate repositories for different TV platforms and emphasizes the importance of designing for readability and accessibility in TV apps. Building TV apps with React Native requires handling fragmentation, focus management, and performance considerations. Integration with TV remotes can be challenging due to different key mappings. Testing on various platforms is crucial. TV apps often focus on streaming media, but there are opportunities for educational, fitness, and gaming apps. The developer experience is improving, and AI services may be integrated into TV apps in the future.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Giovanni Laquidara

Giovanni LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glaquidara/
Giovanni Twitter: https://x.com/giolaq

Links

Giovanni App.js talk: https://www.youtube.com/live/s0wn7qpBoB8?t=12161s
Build Expo apps for TV: https://docs.expo.dev/guides/building-for-tv/
React Native tvOS Github: https://github.com/react-native-tvos/react-native-tvos
IgniteTV template: https://github.com/react-native-tvos/IgniteTV

Takeaways

React Native can be used to develop TV apps for platforms like Android TV, Fire TV, and tvOS.
Developing for TV requires considering the 10-foot UI, where users are typically three meters away from the screen.
TV app navigation should be easy and seamless, with a focus on simplicity and avoiding complex interactions.
Separate repositories are recommended for different TV platforms due to the fragmentation and differences in SDKs.
Designing for readability and accessibility is crucial in TV app development. Building TV apps with React Native requires handling fragmentation, focus management, and performance considerations.
Testing on various platforms is crucial for TV app development.
TV apps often focus on streaming media, but there are opportunities for educational, fitness, and gaming apps.
The developer experience for TV app development is improving.
AI services may be integrated into TV apps in the future.
Deployment to app stores follows similar processes as mobile apps.

#045 - React Native Apps for Seafarers with Gabriel Dierks

Simon Grimm — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0200

In this conversation, Gabriel Dierks, a lead mobile engineer at Kadmos, discusses the challenges and solutions related to mobile app development for seafarers. He also shares insights on the technology stack, release pipelines, and user experience considerations. The conversation covers topics such as the specific niche of the shipping industry, the challenges faced by seafarers, the technology stack used at Kadmos, and the release pipeline for app updates. The conversation dives further into app deployment, versioning, fingerprint comparison, Huawei App Gallery, and mobile app integration. It also delves into the challenges of integrating Huawei push service, and the connection between the web application and the mobile app for card activation. The discussion highlights the unique market focus of Kadmos and the challenges of catering to a different market.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Gabriel Dierks

Gabriel Twitter: https://x.com/GarioTV

Links

App.js talk: https://www.youtube.com/live/MdCn0Iq0ucU?si=8-AJoLnOsC8StM6w&t=26324
Kadmos: https://www.kadmos.io/
Huawei App Gallery: https://appgallery.huawei.com/

Takeaways

Insights into the challenges and solutions of mobile app development for seafarers
Understanding the technology stack and release pipeline for app updates
Considerations for user experience in the shipping industry niche Insights into the deployment process for mobile apps, including versioning and fingerprint comparison.
Challenges and considerations for integrating with the Huawei App Gallery and Huawei push service.
The connection between web application and mobile app for card activation and the unique market focus of Kadmos.
The impact of market differences on app development and the importance of a seamless fintech experience for users.

#044 - Yoga, Layouting and New Architecture with Delphine Bugner

Simon Grimm — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0200

Delphine Bugner, Mobile Tech Lead at BAM, discusses the inner workings of Yoga in React Native. Yoga is responsible for positioning components on the screen based on their dimensions and styling props. Delphine emphasizes the importance of understanding how things work under the hood and why they were designed that way. She shares her uncommon journey into becoming a React Native tech lead and her passion for exploring the technical aspects of technology. She also discusses the architecture of Yoga and how it works under the hood, including the translation of JSX into native views, the creation of shadow nodes and Yoga nodes, and the communication between JavaScript and native code. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the future of Yoga and its alignment with React on the web.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Delphine Bugner

Delphine Twitter: https://twitter.com/DelphineBugner
Delphine Github: https://github.com/delphinebugner

Links

Delphine "The Yoga Enigma" talk in Berlin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU3vK3IbprY
Yoga: https://www.yogalayout.dev/

Takeaways

Yoga is responsible for positioning components on the screen based on their dimensions and styling props in React Native.
Understanding how things work under the hood and why they were designed that way is important for developers.
Yoga was created as a replacement for CSS in React Native and provides a common platform-agnostic layouting solution.
The architecture of Yoga involves the translation of JSX into native views, the creation of shadow nodes and Yoga nodes, and the communication between JavaScript and native code.
The new architecture in React Native improves code maintenance and performance.
View flattening is a concept in Yoga that minimizes unnecessary containers in the view hierarchy.
Debugging Yoga can be done by using breakpoints in C++ to understand the algorithm and identify the source of bugs. The new architecture in React Native brings more conformity with the web and allows for features like suspense and transitions that were not possible before.
Working with native modules in React Native is not as difficult as it may seem, and developers can use tools like Bob or Create React Native Library CLI to simplify the process.
Expo provides a more maintained and active ecosystem compared to the community libraries, making it a good choice for new projects.
Yoga is continuously evolving to align React Native with the web, and future updates will offer more configuration options for developers.

#043 - React Native Best Practices Template with Youssouf El Azizi

Simon Grimm — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +0200

Yousouf El-Azizi, mobile tribe lead at Obytes and core team member of the GeeksBlaBla community in Morocco, discusses his path into technology and becoming a React Native developer. He also talks about his role as the leader of the mobile tribe at Obytes and the benefits of using their open-source starter template. The template, which has gained popularity on GitHub, includes Expo, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, Husky, Lint-staged, Expo Router, React Query, React Hook Form, and localization with I18n. The conversation covers various topics related to the Obytes Starter template for React Native. The main themes include the use of Tailwind CSS, the benefits of using the template, the integration of GitHub actions for automation, the use of React Query Kit and TanStack Query for data fetching, the use of Maestro for end-to-end testing, and the importance of documentation. The conversation also touches on the negative aspects of social media and the benefits of following the right people on GitHub.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Youssouf El Azizi

Youssouf Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElaziziYoussouf
Youssouf Website: https://elazizi.com/

Links

Obytes starter: https://starter.obytes.com/
GitHub Feed is underrated: https://elazizi.com/posts/github-feed-is-underrated/

Takeaways

The mobile tribe at Obytes follows the Spotify model of managing teams, with tribes focusing on technology and squads focusing on projects.
The Obytes starter template is an opinionated template that helps align teams and projects, providing a strong foundation and best practices.
The template includes Expo, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, Husky, Lint-staged, Expo Router, React Query, React Hook Form, and localization with I18n.
Yousuf discusses the decision-making process behind adopting technologies for the starter template, such as Expo Router and Native Wind. The Obytes Starter template for React Native is designed to incorporate best practices and provide a solid foundation for new projects.
Tailwind CSS is a popular framework for styling in React Native and is widely used in the React Native ecosystem.
GitHub actions are used in the template for automation, including validation, testing, and building the app for different environments.
React Query Kit and TenStack Query are used for data fetching and provide an easy way to manage queries and mutations.
Maestro is used for end-to-end testing and provides a simple and intuitive way to write tests.
Documentation is an important aspect of the template and guides how to use the various features and technologies.
Following the right people on GitHub can be a valuable source of learning and discovering new projects and best practices.
Social media platforms like Twitter can be overwhelming and cause anxiety, and it's important to be mindful of the time spent on them.

#042 - React Native is alive! App.js Recap with Áron Berezkin

Simon Grimm — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 06:00:00 +0200

In this episode, Simon and Aaron recap the App.js conference and discuss the key themes and talks. They cover topics such as the state of Expo, the recommended framework for React Native, the importance of iteration speed, the introduction of Expo Orbit and Expo Atlas, the use of React Server Components, real-time 3D applications, Brownfield app integration, and local-first applications. They also highlight the challenges and benefits of using feature flagging and building native libraries. The React Native community is praised for its diversity of skills and the inspiration it provides. The future of React Native includes updates to Expo SDK, the release of React Server components, and the exploration of universal apps and low-code tools.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Áron Berezkin

Aron Twitter: https://twitter.com/AronBerezkin
Aron Blog: https://www.aronberezkin.com/
Aron Github: https://github.com/AronBe

Takeaways

Expo is the recommended framework for React Native and focuses on improving iteration speed.
Expo introduced Expo Orbit, a tool for managing EAS builds, and Expo Atlas, a bundle analyzer for JavaScript bundles.
Evan Bacon showcased the use of React Server Components with AI integration, demonstrating the potential of server-driven native UI.
Mariusz shared his experience with Brownfield app integration, highlighting the challenges and successes of integrating React Native into existing iOS and Android applications.
Søren Brammer-Schmidt and Brent Vatne discussed local-first applications and the use of Prisma for local data management and synchronization.
Fernando Rojo built an open-source native library called Galleria for image viewing and zooming, emphasizing the importance of not being afraid to build native libraries. Don't be afraid to build native modules in React Native
Educate yourself about accessibility and make small changes to improve the experience
The React Native community is diverse and inspiring
Updates to Expo SDK and the release of React Server components are expected

#041 - The Evolution of JavaScript Frameworks with Maximilian Schwarzmüller

Simon Grimm — Tue, 21 May 2024 06:00:00 +0200

In this conversation, Simon Grimm interviews Maximilian Schwarzmüller, a renowned online course creator, about his experience of creating courses and his vast knowledge of various technologies. They discuss the current state of JavaScript frameworks like Angular, React, and Vue, as well as emerging frameworks like Solid.js and Svelte. They also touch on the Node.js environment and the popularity of Express. The conversation then shifts to mobile app development, with a focus on Ionic and React Native. They explore the strengths and limitations of these frameworks and their relevance in the current market. The conversation explores the pros and cons of cross-platform development frameworks, including Ionic, React Native, and Flutter. They discuss their personal preferences and experiences with each framework, highlighting the advantages and limitations of each. They also touch on the future of cross-platform development and the importance of staying up to date with the latest technologies. The conversation concludes with tips for effective learning, emphasizing the importance of building projects and solving real-world problems.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Maximilian Schwarzmüller

Maximilian Twitter: https://twitter.com/maxedapps
Maximilian YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@maximilian-schwarzmueller
Maximilian Podcast: https://maximilian-schwarzmueller.com/podcast/
Udemy courses: https://www.udemy.com/user/academind/

Links

Academind: https://academind.com/courses
Academind YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@academind

Takeaways

The JavaScript framework ecosystem is evolving, with established frameworks like React and Angular continuing to innovate and improve.
State management is a key area of focus, with many frameworks adopting signals as a way to manage state more efficiently.
There is a trend towards full stack development, where the boundaries between front-end and back-end become less clear.
Express remains a popular choice for building APIs in the Node.js environment, despite the emergence of newer frameworks.
Ionic and React Native are both viable options for mobile app development, with Ionic being more focused on web technologies and React Native providing a more native-like experience. Ionic, React Native, and Flutter are popular cross-platform development frameworks, each with its own advantages and limitations.
Ionic is straightforward to work with and suitable for building less complex applications, but it may lack certain features and performance compared to React Native.
React Native and Flutter offer the advantage of compiling code to native UI components or machine code, potentially resulting in better performance and a more integrated development experience.
The choice between cross-platform and native development depends on the specific requirements of the project and the need for platform-specific features and performance.
The future of cross-platform development looks promising, with ongoing advancements in frameworks like React Native and the emergence of new contenders like Tori.
To learn effectively, it's important to build projects and solve real-world problems, rather than relying solely on tutorials and courses.

#040 - From Next.js to React Native with Kitze

Simon Grimm — Tue, 07 May 2024 06:00:00 +0200

In this conversation, Simon and Kitze discuss various topics including Kitze's experience as a React Native developer, his encounter with Gary Vee, and his popular product Sizzy. The conversation revolves around the challenges of building customizable UI components in React Native and the lack of comprehensive libraries. Simon and Kitze discuss their frustrations with existing libraries and the need for better primitives and components. The conversation then shifts to the Benji app and the process of building a native app from scratch. In this conversation, Kitze and Simon discuss various topics related to app development, including the challenges of building a native app with React Native based on an existing Next.js project, the use of Tailwind CSS, and the performance issues on Android.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Kitze

Kitze Twitter: https://twitter.com/thekitze
Kitze Website: https://www.kitze.io/

Links

Sizzy: https://sizzy.co/
Zero to shipped course: https://www.zerotoshipped.com/
Benji: https://benji.so/
Gluestack: https://gluestack.io/

Takeaways

The choice of libraries in development can greatly impact productivity and the developer experience.
The React Native ecosystem offers a variety of tools and libraries that can enhance the development process.
The challenges of building and maintaining a successful product or project require dedication, focus, and continuous improvement.
The lack of comprehensive UI component libraries in React Native can be frustrating and lead to the need for custom solutions.
Having better primitives and components in React Native would make app development easier.
Being open about not having all the answers shouldn't discourage people from teaching.
Building a native app from scratch can be challenging, especially when transitioning from a web app.
Finding the right tech stack and considering the need for a native app early on can save time and effort.
Building a native app with React Native can be challenging, especially when trying to maintain consistency between the web and mobile versions.
Tailwind CSS offers a wide range of components and resources, making it a popular choice for app development.
Android performance can be a pain point in React Native development, requiring optimization and testing on Android devices.
Integrating Apple Health data and implementing in-app purchases can be complex tasks that require careful consideration and planning.

#039 - Award Winning Credit Card App Yonder with Henry Moulton

Simon Grimm — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0200

In this episode, Henry Moulton, principal engineer at Yonder, shares the story of building the award-winning mobile app Yonder. He talks about the challenges working with private Apple and Google APIs as well as the technology stack of their React Native app. Henry also recaps his App.js talk about Maestro from 2023 and how AI is enabling developers to build even better products today. Tune in to hear what it takes to build outstanding apps with React Native!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Henry Moulton

Henry Twitter: https://twitter.com/HenryMoulton
Yonder: https://www.yonder.com/

Links

Henrys App.js talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoCzBdFCoqc
React Native Connection: https://reactnativeconnection.io/

Takeaways

React Native is usually a better choice for B2C apps than frameworks like Ionic
Expo EAS is a key component of shipping weekly app updates at Yonder
Google and Apple have private APIs for working with payments and credit cards
Maestro is the rising star of end-to-end testing in React Native
AI is not taking developer jobs, but makes every person capable of producing more and better ouput

#038 - Expo EAS and 100 Snakes with Jon Samp

Simon Grimm — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0200

In this episode, Jon Samp, head of product at Expo, shares his background in herpetology research and how he transitioned into programming. He discusses his experience developing the Codecademy app with Expo and the challenges he faced. John also talks about his other apps, including the Single Origin coffee timer and WordCheck for Scrabble. He emphasizes the ease of creating hobby apps with React Native and the importance of using native elements for good design. The conversation concludes with a discussion on EAS and how teams can work better together. Jon highlights the improvements being made to the onboarding experience and the Expo dashboard, and the focus on workflow improvements and release management. He also shares future plans for EAS, including enhancing team coordination and communication and improving device management and notifications.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Jon Samp

Jon Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonsamp
Jon Website: https://jonsamp.dev

Links

Expo EAS: https://expo.dev/eas

Takeaways

React Native and Expo make it easy to develop hobby apps without a large team or production process.
Using native elements and animations in React Native apps can enhance the user experience and make the app feel more polished.
EAS (Expo Application Services) simplifies the development and deployment process for React Native apps.
EAS allows for side-loading apps on iOS and Android, making it easy to distribute apps for development purposes.
The easiest way to distribute iOS apps is to use EAS device calling create, which generates a QR code that can be scanned to install a provisioning profile.
EAS supports updates and over-the-air updates, allowing for easy distribution of app updates to users.
EAS provides a faster and more convenient way to build and distribute private applications compared to using Xcode and Android Studio.
Future plans for EAS include improving the onboarding experience, enhancing team coordination and communication, and adding features for release management and workflow improvements.

#037 - Bringing Swift to React Native with Gary Tokman

Simon Grimm — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0200

In this episode, Simon interviews Gary Tokman, CEO at Candle, about his experience with React Native and building a personal finance app. Gary shares his background in iOS development and how he transitioned to React Native. He discusses the technology stack used in Candle, and the three main problems of React Native apps. Gary also shares his latest packages Faster Image and Blur View, along with a new library for Push notifications.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Gary Tokman

Gary Twitter: https://twitter.com/f6ary
Candle: https://candle.fi

Links

SST: https://sst.dev/
Candle on Github: https://github.com/candlefinance
Skip: https://skip.tools/

Takeaways

The React Native community faces challenges with maintaining packages, especially when it comes to finding the right package that works and is actively maintained.
React Native faces three main challenges: Concurrency, Presentation, and API Support
Gary works on several OS projects to bring Swift power to React Native apps
Front-end development in Candle involves client-side architecture, which presents challenges in balancing performance and processing large amounts of data on the device.

#036 - React Native Apps using Web3 & AI with Nader Dabit

Simon Grimm — Tue, 02 Apr 2024 06:00:00 +0200

In this episode, Simon interviews Nader Dabit, a developer and expert in AI and Web3. Nader shares his background and explains why he left his job at AWS to focus on Web3. He discusses the current state of Web3 and AI, highlighting the job market and opportunities in the blockchain space. Nader also explains the concept of EigenLayer and its role in providing security for new blockchain networks. He emphasizes the importance of practical use cases in Web3 and discusses the potential for decentralized social networks. In this conversation, Nader Dabit and Simon discuss the intersection of Web3 and React Native, as well as the practical applications of AI in mobile app development.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Nader Dabit

Nader Twitter: https://twitter.com/dabit3
Nader YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/naderdabit
William Github: https://github.com/dabit3

Links

Eigenlabs: https://www.eigenlabs.org/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/
Farcaster: https://www.farcaster.xyz/
Warpcast: https://warpcast.com/
Lens Protocol: https://www.lens.xyz/
React Native AI: https://github.com/dabit3/react-native-ai

Takeaways

Web3 and AI offer different opportunities and challenges, with Web3 currently having a more promising job market.
Stablecoins are a powerful use case in Web3, providing a stable currency for international transactions.
Decentralized social networks are emerging as a practical use case in Web3, offering public, immutable infrastructure and increased user control.
The complexity and terminology of Web3 can be overwhelming, but embracing the chaotic and fast-paced environment can lead to success.
Web3 offers exciting possibilities for building decentralized apps and social networks.
React Native provides a powerful framework for developing apps on Web3.
AI APIs make it easy to incorporate AI capabilities into mobile apps.
Differentiation and rapid iteration are key to success in the Web3 space.

#035 - React Native Skia with William Candillon

Simon Grimm — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In this conversation, Simon Grimm interviews William Candillon, the creator of Can It Be Done in React Native, about React Native Skia. They discuss the basics of Skia, the benefits of using Skia in React Native, and the performance improvements in React Native Skia. They also talk about the connection between reanimated and React Native Skia, as well as practical examples of what can be done with React Native Skia. William shares the latest release of React Native Skia and provides resources for developers to get started with it.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

William Candillon

William Twitter: https://twitter.com/wcandillon
William YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wcandillon
William Github: https://github.com/wcandillon

Links

React Native Skia: https://github.com/Shopify/react-native-skia
Will it Fly video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUbj_NxcgKg&ab_channel=WilliamCandillon
Daehyeon Mun: https://twitter.com/DaehyeonMun
Enzo Mangano: https://twitter.com/reactiive_
Text rendering hates you: https://faultlore.com/blah/text-hates-you/

Takeaways

React Native Skia is a powerful library that brings the best of Skia to React Native, allowing developers to create high-performance animations and graphics.
Skia is a 2D graphics library that is used by Flutter and other frameworks. It provides low-level APIs for drawing and rendering graphics.
React Native Skia improves performance by bypassing the bridge between native and JavaScript threads, allowing for faster animation and rendering.
The connection between reanimated and React Native Skia allows for advanced animations and interactions in React Native applications.
Developers can get started with React Native Skia by checking out William Candela's tutorials and the official documentation.

#034 - React Architecture Tips with Charlotte Isambert

Simon Grimm — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, Charlotte Isambert, developer at BAM Labs, shares insights on architecture, emphasizing the importance of splitting code into features and following domain-driven design principles. Charlotte also introduces the QRQC (Quick Response Quality Control) and explains Ship Show Ask methodologies, which focus on problem-solving and efficient code reviews. Additionally, she highlights the benefits of adopting a one-feature flow approach and provides general recommendations for improving code quality in React projects.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Charlotte Isambert

Charlotte Twitter: https://twitter.com/c_isambert
Charlotte Github: https://github.com/charlotteisambert

Links

React Summit 2024 Talk: https://portal.gitnation.org/badges/react-summit-2024/charlotte_isambert
Build Your Mental Model of React’s Rendering Behavior: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x2HdZ5unH4

Takeaways

Splitting code into features and following domain-driven design principles can improve code organization and maintainability.
The QRQC methodology encourages understanding the root cause of bugs and implementing preventive measures to avoid similar issues in the future.
Ship Show Ask promotes efficient code reviews by allowing developers to indicate when a review is unnecessary or when feedback is desired.
Adopting a one-feature flow approach, where the entire team focuses on one feature at a time, can improve code quality and knowledge sharing.
General recommendations include actively participating in open source projects, continuously learning and improving, and implementing problem-solving techniques.

#033 - NativeWind & React Native Styling with Mark Lawlor

Simon Grimm — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Mark Lawlor, the creator of NativeWind, joins Simon on the Rocketship podcast to discuss the challenges of styling in React Native and the solutions provided by NativeWind. Mark explains the limitations of the StyleSheet API in React Native and how NativeWind addresses these limitations by bringing CSS concepts to React Native. He also highlights the benefits of using Tailwind CSS with NativeWind and the power of the NativeWind library in enabling complex styles and theming in React Native applications.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Mark Lawlor

Mark Twitter: https://twitter.com/mark__lawlor
Mark Github: https://github.com/marklawlor
NativeWind: https://www.nativewind.dev/

Links

Nativecn-UI: https://github.com/Mobilecn-UI/nativecn-ui

Takeaways

The StyleSheet API in React Native provides basic styling primitives but lacks support for complex styles and state-based styling.
Styling in React Native becomes more complex as the app grows and needs to support different states, platforms, and devices.
NativeWind is a styling system for React Native that brings CSS concepts to React Native, allowing developers to use Tailwind CSS and leverage the power of CSS variables, media queries, and other CSS features.
NativeWind enables developers to write styles in a familiar CSS syntax and provides advanced features like transition classes, platform-specific themes, and support for CSS variables and calculations. CSS variables can be used for theming and sub-theming in Native Wind.
Standardization and compatibility with other libraries and platforms are important goals for NativeWind.
Future plans for NativeWind include introducing new primitives, improving animations, and supporting other styling libraries.

#032 - From broke Teacher to Software Engineer with Zach Taylor

Simon Grimm — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Zach Taylor, a software engineer living in Japan, shares his journey from teaching guitar lessons and selling Pokemon cards to becoming a full-time software engineer. He discusses his transition to coding, learning HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and eventually discovering React Native. Zach provides insights into the job market and freelancing, emphasizing the importance of focused applications and multiple learning resources.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Zach Taylor

Zach YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@webdevjapan
Zach Portfolio: https://www.zach-japan.com/
Zach Online Store: https://japandirect.org/

Links

FreeCodeCamp: https://www.freecodecamp.org/
Freemote: https://www.freemote.com/

Takeaways

When starting a website, use the tools you have and do the best you can. It's important to get started and improve over time.
Focus on becoming a better software engineer rather than climbing the corporate ladder.
Continuous learning and skill improvement can lead to better job opportunities.

#031 - React Native Gestures & Microinteractions with Kacper Kapuściak

Simon Grimm — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, Simon Grimm interviews Kacper Kapuściak, a React Native open-source developer at Software Mansion. They explore the importance of microinteractions in app design and how to identify relevant microinteractions. Kacper shares insights on layout animations and the current state of web support for Gesture Handler and Reanimated. They conclude by discussing the future of these libraries, including upcoming features and improvements for Reanimated and the React Native IDE project.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Kacper Kapuściak

Kacper Twitter: https://twitter.com/kacperkapusciak
Kacper Github: https://github.com/kacperkapusciak

Takeaways

Transitioning from the Animated API to Reanimated can provide more flexibility and better performance for animations in React Native.
Microinteractions are small, subtle animations and interactions that enhance the user experience and make an app feel more polished.
Layout animations are a powerful tool for animating the appearance and disappearance of components in React Native.
Gesture Handler and Reanimated have good web support, allowing developers to create interactive and animated experiences across platforms.
The future of Gesture Handler and Reanimated includes features like screen transitions and improvements in multi-threading capabilities.
The React Native IDE is currently in a private beta testing phase and will be a VS Code plugin.

#030 - Ignite React Native Projects with Frank Calise

Simon Grimm — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, Simon interviews Frank Calise, Senior Software Engineer at Infinite Red. Frank shares his experiences with different programming languages and platforms, including iOS, Android, Xamarin, and React Native. He also discusses the role of open source at Infinite Red and provides insights into Ignite, Infinite Red's battle-tested boilerplate React Native application, and its generators that help speed up development.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Frank Calise

Twitter: https://twitter.com/frankcalise
Github: https://github.com/frankcalise
Website: https://www.frankcalise.com/
Ignite: https://github.com/infinitered/ignite

Takeaways

Ignite is Infinite Red's battle-tested boilerplate React Native application that includes generators to speed up development.
The plans for Ignite include aligning with React Native's new architecture and continuing to support Expo and React Native upgrades.
Ignite is expected to align with React Native version 10 and may not see major releases until then.

#029 - State of React Native with Áron Berezkin

Simon Grimm — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, Simon and Aaron Berezkin discuss the results of the State of React Native 2023 survey. They cover various topics such as state management, data fetching, navigation, or styling and share their own take on the outcome and trends of the different categories based on real-life observations.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Áron Berezkin

Aron Twitter: https://twitter.com/AronBerezkin
Aron Blog: https://www.aronberezkin.com/
Aron Github: https://github.com/AronBe

Takeaways

React Native developers are generally happy with the state of the framework and its various features.
State management libraries like Redux and Zustand are widely used, but React Query is gaining popularity.
React Native Paper and React Native Elements are still popular UI component libraries, but custom solutions are becoming more common.
React Native Reanimated and the Animated API are the most popular choices for graphics and animations.
The most commonly used debugging tools are console logs, Flipper, and Chrome DevTools.
The new architecture and bridge-less mode are highly interesting to React Native developers.
Expo modules are making it easier to create and use native libraries in React Native projects.
React Native is moving in the right direction, with most developers agreeing.
Building React Native apps is considered complex but not overly so.
The React Native community is highly valued and supportive.
Pain points include debugging, un-maintained packages, dealing with native code, and upgrades.
Missing features include better debugging and Android shadows.
The React Native ecosystem is stable but not boring, with ongoing improvements and innovations.

#028 - Expo Router & Universal React Native Apps with Evan Bacon

Simon Grimm — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, Simon interviews Evan Bacon, the creator of Expo Router. They explore the features and benefits of Expo Router, including file-based routing, deep linking, and automatic TypeScript. Evan shares the roadmap for Expo Router version 4, which aims to unify the server-client connection and introduce server components. They also touch on the future of Expo Web and its separation from the core native platform.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Evan Bacon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Baconbrix
Github: https://github.com/evanbacon
Blog: https://evanbacon.dev/
Blog Code: https://github.com/EvanBacon/evanbacon.dev

Takeaways

- Expo Router is a file-based router for native applications that enables universal code sharing and simplifies complex navigation routing.
- Expo Router provides features like deep linking, automatic TypeScript, and API routes, which allow for secure server-client communication.
- Expo Router version 4 aims to tie together the server-client connection and introduce server components, enabling more flexible and efficient app development.
- Expo Web will be separated from the core native platform, allowing developers to choose between Expo Router and React Navigation based on their specific needs.
- The future of Expo Router and Expo Web promises exciting advancements in universal app development and improved developer experience.
- Expo V4 is expected to be released around May, with a focus on unblocking important features.
- Evan Bacon's blog, built with Expo, showcases the capabilities of Expo Router and other Expo features.
- Expo and Next.js have different scopes and priorities, but Expo aims to be a universal React framework.
- Expo's goal is to unlock new types of mobile experiences and provide a seamless transition between web and native.

#027 - React Native’s Superpower with Theo Browne

Simon Grimm — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Simon talks with Theo about the differences between React Native and Flutter, and what React Native's Superpower is. They explore the benefits of React server components and how they differ from over-the-air updates. Finally, they delve into the T3 stack and its origins, and the integration of Expo and React Native.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Theo Browne

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@t3dotgg
Ping: https://ping.gg/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/t3dotgg
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/theo
T3: https://t3.gg/
New Devrel course: https://www.devrel.fyi
React Native Superpower video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd9198xvlzc

Takeaways

- Over-the-air updates are a powerful feature of React Native, allowing developers to quickly patch and update their applications without going through the lengthy app review process.
- Flutter is a popular cross-platform framework, but it has limitations and is not as flexible as React Native in terms of native integration and over-the-air updates.
- Ionic and Capacitor are still relevant for certain use cases, particularly in enterprise applications and internal tools, but their importance may decrease as progressive web apps and other technologies improve.
- React Server Components offer the potential for server-side rendering and sending pre-rendered UI structures to the client, reducing the need for complex JSON-to-UI translations on the client-side.
- Mobile developers should pay attention to React Server Components as they could simplify development and improve performance by offloading rendering tasks to the server. Server components provide granular over-the-air updates and can be updated as part of a data fetch, offering a more efficient way to update components in React Native.
- The T3 stack, consisting of TypeScript, Prisma, TRPC, Tailwind, and Next.js, offers a modular and flexible solution for building full-stack applications.

#026 - React Server Components for React Native with Szymon Rybczak

Simon Grimm — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In this episode, I talk with Szymon Rybczak, a 17-year-old React Native developer at Callstack. Szymon shares his journey into open source and his experience working with React Native. He discusses the benefits of contributing to open-source projects and provides tips for getting started. Szymon also explains the concept of React Server Components and how they can be used in React Native. He discusses the challenges and potential of this technology. Finally, Szymon talks about the Repack project and the future of universal apps.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Szymon Rybczak

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SzymonRybczak
Github: https://github.com/szymonrybczak

Takeaways

- Contributing to open-source projects can help developers improve their skills and gain valuable experience.
- React Server Components can execute React components on a server, enabling full-stack development and performance optimizations.
- Repack is a project that allows for module federation and bundle splitting in React Native, enabling micro frontends.
- The future of React Native includes the adoption of React Server Components and the development of universal apps.

Links

- Brownfield app process: https://www.callstack.com/blog/brownfield-development-with-react-native
- RePack: https://www.callstack.com/open-source/re-pack

#025 - EAS, Expo Prebuild & SDK 50 with Kadi Kraman

Simon Grimm — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0100

In this conversation, Kadi Kraman and I discuss various topics related to Expo and React Native. We cover EAS (Expo Application Services) and its features, including building native apps quickly and handling certificate management. We also discuss the differences between Expo Go, development builds, and pre-builds. Finally, we touch on the customization options for the Dev Client and the flexibility of transitioning from Expo to plain React Native.

Kadi also highlights the new features in Expo SDK 50, including DevTools plugins and a focus on web development. Kadi explains the benefits of Expo Router 3 and API routes, as well as the challenges of deep linking. She also mentions the future of Expo and the addition of NativeWind. Finally, Kadi shares tips for building a 5-star app, including addressing common issues and asking for positive reviews.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Kadi Kraman

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kadikraman
Github: https://github.com/kadikraman

Takeaways

- EAS (Expo Application Services) is a CI/CD service for React Native apps that simplifies the build process and handles certificate management.
- Expo Go is a sandbox environment for testing and prototyping, while development builds allow for customization and native code changes.
- Pre-builds in Expo generate the iOS and Android directories based on the app.json and package.json files, making it easier to upgrade React Native and Expo.
- The Dev Client in Expo allows for customization of the development environment, but it is not necessary for running pre-builds. Embracing change and pivoting when things aren't working is essential for growth and success.
- Expo SDK 50 introduces new features such as DevTools plugins and a focus on web development.
- Expo Router 3 and API routes provide server-side code capabilities in React Native apps.

#024 - Supabase Powered Apps with Thor Schaeff

Simon Grimm — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Simon talks with Thor Schaeff, Dev Rel & DX at Supabase. We cover all things Supabase, compare it to other solutions and how well Supabase plays together with React Native in 2024!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Thor Schaeff

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thorwebdev
Personal: https://thor.bio/

Links

Supabase: https://supabase.com/
Supabase Twitter: https://twitter.com/supabase

#023 - Why you should use React Native in 2024

Simon Grimm — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +0100

Why should you use React Native in 2024? I explain my reasons for using React Native and why I think it's probably the best cross-platform solution you can pick in 2024 to build native mobile apps!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

SPECIAL DEAL
Use code GALAXIES24 at the checkout to get a 25% discount on your first 3 months of PRO 🔥

#022 - Galactic Year for React Native Devs

Simon Grimm — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0100

In this end of the year episode, I share the story how Galaxies almost failed and my vision for every member of Galaxies plus the content you can expect in 2024!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

#021 - The React Native IDE with Krzysztof Magiera

Simon Grimm — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Simon talks with Krzysztof Magiera, ex-React Native core developer and Director of Engineering at Software Mansion. We discuss the upcoming React Native IDE and Krzysztofs popular packages React Native Screens, Gesture Handler, and Reanimated!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Krzysztof Magiera

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kzzzf
Github: https://github.com/software-mansion

Links

React Native IDE Thread: https://twitter.com/kzzzf/status/1722973994368762335
State of React Native Survey: https://stateofreactnative.com

#020 - Building Tools for Expo with Dan Stepanov

Simon Grimm — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Simon talks with Dan Stepanov, a YC graduate and React Native consultant. We dive into Dan's latest project Expostack, which is an alternative to the Expo CLI, and how Expo changes the React Native ecosystem!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Dan Stepanov

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanStepanov
Website: https://onlydans.gg/

Links

Create Expo Stack: https://expostack.dev/
Snack for that: https://www.snackforthat.com/

#019 - Unistyles, C++ and new React Native Architecture with Jacek Pudysz

Simon Grimm — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Simon talks with Jacek Pudysz, CTO of Codemask and creator of the trending React Native Unistyles library. We talk about Unistyles and what makes this library great, and we dive deep into the usage of C++ with React Native and the new architecture including JSI and Codegen!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Jacek Pudysz

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jpudysz
Github: https://github.com/jpudysz
Blog: https://www.reactnativecrossroads.com
React Native Unistyles: https://github.com/jpudysz/react-native-unistyles

Links

Hacking with Swift: https://www.hackingwithswift.com

#018 - From PT to Software Engineer with Brandon Austin

Simon Grimm — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Simon talks with Brandon Austin, React Native developer by day and indie hacker at night. We discuss Brandon's journey from Personal Trainer to Software Engineer, burning money on Google APIs and React Native UI Kitten, a library following Apple's Styleguide.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Brandon Austin

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bran_aust
Website: https://www.branaust.com

#017 - React Native + Next.js with Fernando Rojo

Simon Grimm — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Simon talks with Fernando Rojo, creator of successful packages like solito, moti or dripsy. We dive into building cross-platform apps with React Native and Next.js, how solito unifies routing in mono repositories, and what the future of universal apps looks like!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Fernando Rojo

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FernandoTheRojo
Github: https://github.com/nandorojo

Links

Dripsy: https://www.dripsy.xyz
Moti: https://moti.fyi
Solito: https://solito.dev
React Native 2030 Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKItY_2wFH0
How I built React Native Libraries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeWsgKzuPlg

#016 - Universal React Native Apps with Rodrigo Figueroa

Simon Grimm — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 06:45:40 +0100

Simon talks with Rodrigo Figueroa, a React Native developer from Chile. We dive deep into building universal apps for iOS, Android, and the web with React Native, plus tools like Solito and Rodrigos packages around MedusaJS and Vercel AI!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Rodrigo Figueroa

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bidah
Github: https://github.com/bidah
Universal Medusa: https://universal-medusa-docs.vercel.app
React Native Vercel AI: https://github.com/bidah/react-native-vercel-ai

Links

MedusaJS: https://medusajs.com
Solito: https://solito.dev
Codemods: https://nextjs.org/docs/app/building-your-application/upgrading/codemods
Radix UI: https://www.radix-ui.com
ShadCN: https://ui.shadcn.com
Nativewind: https://www.nativewind.dev
Vercel AI: https://github.com/vercel/ai

#015 - Performance Tips for React Native with Alexandre Moureaux

Simon Grimm — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Simon talks with Alexandre Moureaux, a React Native developer focused on the performance of mobile apps. We dive into how to measure your app's performance, simple tricks to improve it, and his tool Flashlight to easily see your app's vital metrics!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Alexandre Moureaux

Twitter: https://twitter.com/almouro
Flashlight: https://flashlight.dev

Links

Measuring and Improving React Native Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q3VCgKV0GE
React-native-performance: https://github.com/oblador/react-native-performance
Callstack reassure: https://github.com/callstack/reassure
Expo image: https://docs.expo.dev/versions/latest/sdk/image/

#014 - Building a Mobile Game with Jan Van Echelpoel

Simon Grimm — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0100

Simon talks with Jan Van Echelpoel, an independent digital product builder. We talk about Jans game Nightlands and what goes into developing a game with React Native, as well as the challenges of mobile games and the work they require.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Jan Van Echelpoel

Links

Apollo Client: https://www.apollographql.com/docs

#013 - React Native Vision Camera & MMKV with Marc Rousavy

Simon Grimm — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Simon talks with Marc Rousavy, creator of the popular MMKV and Vision Camera Packages for React Native. We dive into Marc's background in C#, how he built his agency Margelo, and talk about the possibilities of Vision Camera in combination with ML and Skia!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Marc Rousavy

Links

React Native MMKV: https://github.com/mrousavy/react-native-mmkv
React Native Vision Camera: https://github.com/mrousavy/react-native-vision-camera

#012 - Offline Apps, Indie Hacking & AI with Benedikt Müller

Simon Grimm — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Simon talks with Benedikt Müller, a solutions engineer by day and indie hacker by night! We dive into the technical challenges of the AI project Feld, and how Benedikt is using Watermelon with Supabase to build an offline-first app!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Benedikt Müller

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bndkt
Website: https://bndkt.com/
Feld: https://feld.app/
Share my Stack: https://sharemystack.com/

Links

Offline-first tutorial: https://bndkt.com/blog/2023/offline-first-expo-watermelondb-supabase
WatermelonDB: https://watermelondb.dev/
Powersync: https://www.powersync.co/
TinyBase: https://tinybase.org/

#011 - Tamagui & Universal Apps with Nate Wienert

Simon Grimm — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Simon talks with Nate Wienert, the creator of Tamagui. We explore what Tamagui is, how it helps to build universal apps for native and mobile, and what's the best tech stack for React Native apps that target all platforms.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Nate Wienert

Twitter: https://twitter.com/natebirdman
Tamagui: https://tamagui.dev

Links

Tamagui Takeout: https://tamagui.dev/takeout
Tamagui Studio: https://tamagui.dev/studio
GQty: https://gqty.dev/

#010 - Learn to use Storybook with Daniel Williams

Simon Grimm — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Simon talks with Daniel Williams, the maintainer of React Native Storybook. Daniel helps Simon to understand how Storybook works, and how the React Native library can be used to speed up the development of your apps!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Daniel Williams

Links

#009 - Why you need React Native Animations with Catalin Miron

Simon Grimm — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Simon talks with Catalin Miron, the expert in React Native animations. We discuss strategies to get started with animations, how interpolation works, and why you should use Reanimated!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Catalin Miron

Links

#008 - Build your own Startup with Vadim Savin

Simon Grimm — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Simon talks with Vadim Savin, creator of the popular NotJustDev YouTube channel and brand! We talk about Hackathons, creating your own startups with code, finding ideas and niches, Vadims new Accelerator program and how not to over-engineer your side project!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Vadim Savin:
Vadim Twitter: https://twitter.com/VadimNotJustDev
Vadim YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@notjustdev
notJustDev: https://www.notjust.dev/
notJustDev Accelerator: https://www.notjust.dev/accelerator

Links Mentioned:

#007 - Expo, Router & Debugging with Cedric van Putten

Simon Grimm — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Simon talks with Cedric van Putten, Engineer, and Jack of all trades at Expo! We talk about Expo vs React Native CLI, improvements for React Native debugging, Expo Router, and what else we can expect from Expo over the next time!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Cedric Twitter: https://x.com/cedric_dev
Cedric Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cedric.dev

#006 - Amplify & React Native Courses with Alberto Moedano

Simon Grimm — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Simon talks with Alberto Moedano who runs a Spanish and English YouTube channel for React Native. We talk about his journey from Unity to React Native, remote work from the USA and his experience with AWS Amplify compared to Firebase.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Beto Twitter: https://twitter.com/betomoedano
Beto YT English: https://www.youtube.com/@codewithbeto
Beto YT Spanish: https://www.youtube.com/@codewithbeto1
Code with Beto Courses: https://codewithbeto.dev/

Links:
NestJS: https://nestjs.com/

#005 - Building the World's Best Apps with Áron Berezkin

Simon Grimm — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Simon talks with Aron Berezkin, a senior React Native developer from Prague. Aron works for a company called STRV, and has been involved in the creation of apps like The Pump for Arnold Schwarzenegger or the #1 Bible app Ascension!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Aron Twitter: https://twitter.com/AronBerezkin
Aron Blog: https://www.aronberezkin.com/
Aron Github: https://github.com/AronBe
STRV Company: https://www.strv.com/

Links:
The Pump: https://www.aronberezkin.com/posts/portfolio-update-the-pump
Ascension: https://www.aronberezkin.com/posts/portfolio-update-ascension
Mobin app designs: https://mobbin.com/browse/ios/apps

#004 - Flutter vs React Native and Reanimated with Enzo Mangano

Simon Grimm — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Simon talks with Enzo, an Italian developer who is running his own company. We dive back into Enzo's past with Flutter, how he switched to React Native, and what's different. Additionally, we dive into Enzo's love for React Native Reanimated and explore what's possible and new!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Enzo Twitter: https://twitter.com/reactiive_
Enzo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Reactiive
Enzo Company: https://www.worklet.it

Links:
William Candillon: https://www.youtube.com/@wcandillon
Catalin Miron: https://www.youtube.com/@CatalinMironDev
Dan's React Native Lab: https://www.youtube.com/@DanRNLab
React Native Reanimated: https://github.com/software-mansion/react-native-reanimated
React Native Figma Squircle: https://github.com/phamfoo/react-native-figma-squircle

#003 - Building a Fitness App using Firebase & Expo with Paweł Karniej

Simon Grimm — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Simon talks with Paweł, a developer, and indie hacker. Pavel explains the ideas and technology behind his new side project Fitmate and shares technical insights into using Firebase, Expo and Nativebase.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Pawel Twitter: https://twitter.com/pawelkarniej
Fitmate: https://fitmateapp.co/

Links:
React Native Gifted Chat: https://github.com/FaridSafi/react-native-gifted-chat

#002 - Shipping React Native Apps with David Leuliette

Simon Grimm — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 06:00:00 +0200

Simon talks with David, a freelance designer and developer. We talk about the React Native community, how shipping apps is a muscle you can train, and how Tamagui and Expo play together.

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

David Twitter: https://twitter.com/flexbox_
David Website: https://davidl.fr/
David GitHub: https://github.com/flexbox

Links:
Release Checklist: https://flexbox.gumroad.com/l/expo-checklist
App Icon Badge: https://github.com/obytes/app-icon-badge

#001 - From NextJS to React Native with Hosna Qasmei

Simon Grimm — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 07:44:30 +0200

Simon talks with Hosna, a software developer and YouTube creator. We go over Hosnas transition to web development and later her move from Next to React Native to build her new women's sports app!

Learn React Native - https://galaxies.dev

Hosna Twitter: https://twitter.com/hqasmei
Hosna YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hqasmei
Hosna GitHub: https://github.com/hqasmei

Links:
React Native Shimmer: https://github.com/oblador/react-native-shimmer