Rocket Ship

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 [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 [https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero] 🔥 Weekly Videos -> https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev [https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev] ❤️  Socials * https://x.com/schlimmson [https://x.com/schlimmson] * https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_] * https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr] 🤝 Jamon Holmgren * Jamon X: https://x.com/jamonholmgren [https://x.com/jamonholmgren] * Jamon personal: https://jamon.dev/ [https://jamon.dev/] * Jamon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamonholmgren/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamonholmgren/] * Jamon Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamon.dev [https://bsky.app/profile/jamon.dev] 🔗 Links * Infinite Red: https://infinite.red/ [https://infinite.red/] * Jamons Game: https://jammin.games/into-the-dawn/ [https://jammin.games/into-the-dawn/] * React Native Radio: https://reactnativeradio.com/ [https://reactnativeradio.com/] * React Native Web vs Strict DOM: https://shift.infinite.red/react-strict-dom-vs-react-native-for-web-in-2025-bb91582ef261 [https://shift.infinite.red/react-strict-dom-vs-react-native-for-web-in-2025-bb91582ef261] * Ignite: https://github.com/infinitered/ignite [https://github.com/infinitered/ignite] * Reactotron: https://github.com/infinitered/reactotron [https://github.com/infinitered/reactotron] * iOS Simulator MCP: https://github.com/joshuayoes/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 [https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero] 🔥 Weekly Videos -> https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev [https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev] ❤️  Socials * https://x.com/schlimmson [https://x.com/schlimmson] * https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_] * https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr] 👨‍💻 Apps * Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021] * Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980 [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 [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 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410] 🔗 Links * FlashList v2: https://shopify.engineering/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 [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 [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 [https://github.com/rit3zh/expo-liquid-glass-view] * ElevenLabs React Native SDK: https://x.com/ElevenLabsDevs/status/1953096060252869053 [https://x.com/ElevenLabsDevs/status/1953096060252869053] * Vercel AI SDK 5: https://vercel.com/blog/ai-sdk-5 [https://vercel.com/blog/ai-sdk-5] * Expo patch-project docs: https://docs.expo.dev/config-plugins/patch-project/ [https://docs.expo.dev/config-plugins/patch-project/] * React Native Screen Transitions: https://x.com/trpfsu/status/1954010840627036600 [https://x.com/trpfsu/status/1954010840627036600] * CSS Parsing Expo: https://x.com/Baconbrix/status/1954699574050005112 [https://x.com/Baconbrix/status/1954699574050005112] * Remove Legacy Arch: https://github.com/facebook/react-native/pull/53025 [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 [https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero] 🔥 Weekly Videos -> https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev [https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev] ❤️  Socials * https://x.com/schlimmson [https://x.com/schlimmson] * https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_] * https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr] 👨‍💻 Apps * Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021] * Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980 [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 [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 [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 [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 [https://expo.dev/blog/precompiled-react-native-for-ios] * Keyboard Controller Update: https://kirillzyusko.github.io/react-native-keyboard-controller/blog/keyboard-extensions [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 [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 [https://x.com/kadikraman/status/1948002556824752288] * GraphQL Example: https://x.com/kadikraman/status/1948382698906521658 [https://x.com/kadikraman/status/1948382698906521658] * Expo iOS Mesh Gradient: https://github.com/rit3zh/expo-ios-mesh-gradient [https://github.com/rit3zh/expo-ios-mesh-gradient] * Claude Code: https://www.anthropic.com/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 [https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero] 🔥 Weekly Videos -> https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev [https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev] ❤️  Socials * https://x.com/schlimmson [https://x.com/schlimmson] * https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_] * https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr] * https://bsky.app/profile/galaxies.dev [https://bsky.app/profile/galaxies.dev] 👨‍💻 Apps * Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021] * Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980 [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 [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 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410] 🔗 Links * NEW: Amazon Clone with React Native: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P9dZZcRcao [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P9dZZcRcao] * Indie app strategy: https://expo.dev/blog/how-to-build-apps-fast [https://expo.dev/blog/how-to-build-apps-fast] * Ignite 11: https://x.com/ir_ignite/status/1940455686045159817 [https://x.com/ir_ignite/status/1940455686045159817] * Unistyles 3.0: https://www.reactnativecrossroads.com/posts/introducing-unistyles-3 [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 [https://github.com/joshuayoes/ios-simulator-mcp/releases/tag/v1.4.0] * Stack Component: https://github.com/nkzw-tech/stack [https://github.com/nkzw-tech/stack] * React Native RAG: https://blog.swmansion.com/introducing-react-native-rag-fbb62efa4991 [https://blog.swmansion.com/introducing-react-native-rag-fbb62efa4991] * RevenueCat Shipaton: https://revenuecat-shipaton-2025.devpost.com/ [https://revenuecat-shipaton-2025.devpost.com/] * React criticism: https://x.com/scriptjunkie1/status/1938676829663187450 [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 [https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero] 🔥 Weekly Videos -> https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev [https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev] ❤️  Socials * https://x.com/schlimmson [https://x.com/schlimmson] * https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_ [https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_] * https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr] * https://bsky.app/profile/galaxies.dev [https://bsky.app/profile/galaxies.dev] 👨‍💻 Apps * Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021 [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021] * Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980 [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 [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 [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 [https://shopify.engineering/webgpu-skia-web-graphics] * Background-repeat and styles: https://x.com/nishanbende/status/1938130663586337176 [https://x.com/nishanbende/status/1938130663586337176] * Evan Expo Router AI App Generator: https://github.com/EvanBacon/app-that-builds-apps [https://github.com/EvanBacon/app-that-builds-apps] * Deprecating React Native IAP: https://x.com/hyodotdev/status/1939420943665049961 [https://x.com/hyodotdev/status/1939420943665049961] * React Native Nitro Image: https://github.com/mrousavy/react-native-nitro-image [https://github.com/mrousavy/react-native-nitro-image] * React Native Fast Confetti: https://github.com/AlirezaHadjar/react-native-fast-confetti [https://github.com/AlirezaHadjar/react-native-fast-confetti] * Expo Router Tweet: https://x.com/schlimmson/status/1939716357723218073 [https://x.com/schlimmson/status/1939716357723218073] * Are MCPs like web3: https://x.com/theo/status/1939434082867569140 [https://x.com/theo/status/1939434082867569140]