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

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Baconbrix
• Github: https://github.com/evanbacon
• Blog: https://evanbacon.dev/

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.

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.

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.

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

• Gant X: https://x.com/GantLaborde
• Gant website: https://gantlaborde.com
• Gant GitHub: https://github.com/GantMan

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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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

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

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/

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.

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

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

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

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

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/

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

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/echlpl
• Website: https://www.jve.works
• Nightlands: https://nightlands.app

Links

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

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

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrousavy
• Website: https://mrousavy.com/
• Margelo: https://margelo.io/

Links

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

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/

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/

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

• Twitter
• Blog
• Github
• YouTube

Links

• SST: https://sst.dev/
• Arro: https://www.arrofinance.com/
• Storybook: https://storybook.js.org/

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.

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

• Twitter
• YouTube
• AnimateReactNative.com

Links

• Animations should be fun - AppJS
• Moti
• React Native Marquee 

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:

• Tamagui
• Tamagui Takeout
• Supabase

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

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/