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