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 👋

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

• https://x.com/schlimmson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr

👨‍💻 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

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

• https://x.com/schlimmson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr

👨‍💻 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

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

• https://x.com/schlimmson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr

👨‍💻 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

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

• https://x.com/schlimmson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr

👨‍💻 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

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

• https://x.com/schlimmson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr

👨‍💻 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

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

• https://x.com/schlimmson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr

👨‍💻 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

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

• https://x.com/schlimmson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr

🤝 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

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

• https://x.com/schlimmson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr

👨‍💻 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

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

• https://x.com/schlimmson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr

🤝 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

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

• https://x.com/schlimmson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr

👨‍💻 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

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

• https://x.com/schlimmson
• https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr

👨‍💻 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

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

• 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

• 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

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

• 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

• 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

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

• 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

• 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

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

• 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

• 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

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

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

👨‍💻 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 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

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

👨‍💻 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 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

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

👨‍💻 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
Expon 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