Welcome aboard the Rocket Ship, the ultimate podcast voyage into the heart of React Native development with Simon Grimm! Whether you're a seasoned mobile app developer or just starting your journey, this is your go-to destination for all things React Native and Expo.
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March 12, 2026Episode 9316 min
Why I’m Pausing the Rocket Ship Podcast (For Now)
In this episode, I share an honest update about the future of the Rocket Ship Podcast. After running the show for quite a while and experimenting with different formats, I’ve decided to pause the podcast for now . In this episode I explain why, what changed, and what I want to explore next. 🚀 Learn React Native : https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero 🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev 🎮 Play Tiny Harvest: https://tinyharvest.app/ iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tiny-harvest-cozy-farm/id6755226300 Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.supersimon.harvestgame ❤️ Socials https://x.com/schlimmson https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr
This week’s episode is packed with deep React Native ecosystem updates , a clear shift toward AI-first tooling , and some really positive momentum on Tiny Harvest . We talk new APIs, better performance, smarter automation - and why it feels like AI has officially crossed a tipping point for most developers. ⚛️ React Native Radar ⏳ Expo SDK 55 – still not released, likely 1–2 weeks out 🤏 React Native Gesture Handler v3 (beta) 🧩 React Native Screens 4.22 – ongoing polish and fixes 🚪 Teleport – a better, more flexible Portal solution for React Native 🧠 AI SDK Profiler with Rozenite 🤖 Token-efficient automation for AI agents ⚡ Superconfig with Nitro 📈 5 tips to increase app downloads & retention (Expo blog) 🧰 Expo MCP – new features 🧠 Vercel React Native Skills for AI agents 🧹 Xcode cleanup tool – finally reclaim that disk space 💬 Expo OpenClaw Chat 🧠 Build in Public Tiny Harvest Update 🌱 🎟️ Season pass is performing really well 🐔 The new Coop feature feels great in-game 🚀 More big features shipping this week ❤️ Most importantly: people genuinely love the game 🚨 Trending in Tech 🤖 AI has reached a tipping point for most developers 🚀 Learn React Native : https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero 🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev ❤️ Socials https://x.com/schlimmson https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr 👨💻 Apps Tiny Harvest iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tiny-harvest-cozy-farm/id6755226300 Tiny Harvest Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.supersimon.harvestgame Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021 Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980 🔗 Links RNGH v3 beta: https://blog.swmansion.com/introducing-gesture-handler-3-0-hook-based-api-deeper-reanimated-integration-more-9185b0c8e305 React Native Teleport: https://kirillzyusko.github.io/react-native-teleport/blog/welcome AI SDK Profiler: https://www.callstack.com/blog/announcing-ai-sdk-profiler-for-react-native Superconfig: https://github.com/riteshshukla04/react-native-superconfig Worklets: https://blog.swmansion.com/behind-the-scenes-of-react-native-multithreading-vision-camera-v5-x-react-native-worklets-a102c37b32ae 5 Tips to increase mobile app downloads: https://expo.dev/blog/how-to-increase-mobile-app-downloads-and-retention Expo MCP: https://x.com/Baconbrix/status/2016286464510984224 Vercel React Native Skills: https://x.com/vercel_dev/status/2016226892333121635 Reactix: https://www.reacticx.com/ Xcode clean up dev tool: https://x.com/seanallen_dev/status/2019823735667372099 Expo Openclaw Demo: https://x.com/brunobar79/status/2019444917064315320 Tiny Harvest Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/TinyHarvest/
January 27, 2026Episode 9030 min
090 - Expo SDK 55, AI Agent Skills, Tiny Harvest Revenue & Industrial Revolution of Software
This week’s episode is packed with Expo-heavy updates , early looks at AI agent tooling , and some honest numbers and lessons from Tiny Harvest . We also zoom out and talk about the idea that we might be living through an Industrial Revolution of Software . ⚛️ React Native Radar 🚀 Expo SDK 55 (beta) 🧠 Expo Skills – a growing collection of AI agent skills for Expo & EAS 🧩 React Native Screens 4.20 released 🪟 React Native Windows & macOS 0.81 ✨ Making AI feel human using Expo, Reanimated & Skia 🔄 EAS Channel Surfing – switching update channels at runtime 📄 Remote MDX support experiments 🖼️ SF Symbols support coming to Expo Image 🧭 Expo Router v7 (beta) – big iteration on routing 🧮 calc() support lands in React Native styling 🧠 Build in Public 📊 App Store ratings & early feedback 💰 Purchases & revenue insights 🚨 Trending in Tech 🧠 The Death of Software Development “We are living through the Industrial Revolution of Software .” 🚀 Learn React Native : https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero 🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev ❤️ Socials https://x.com/schlimmson https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr 👨💻 Apps Tiny Harvest: https://tinyharvest.app/ Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021 Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980 🔗 Links Expo SDK 55 beta: https://expo.dev/changelog/sdk-55-beta#new-expo-sdk-package-versioning-scheme Expo AI Skills: https://github.com/expo/skills React Native Windows 0.81: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/react-native/%F0%9F%9A%80react-native-windows-v0-81-is-here/ EAS Channel surfing: https://expo.dev/blog/channel-surfing-for-expo-updates-how-to-switch-update-channels-at-runtime Remote MDX with Expo: https://x.com/Baconbrix/status/2011518481976734099 calc() support: https://x.com/_ikswodarap/status/2014677703266288082 Tiny Harvest: https://tinyharvest.app/ The Death of Software Development: https://mike.tech/blog/death-of-software-development
January 13, 2026Episode 8921 min
089 - JS Rising Stars, Indie Game Revenue & AI Finally Clicking
This week’s episode is a quieter one on the news front - but a big one for reflections. We look at the latest signals from the React Native ecosystem, then zoom out into what I’ve been building lately, why I can’t stop thinking about my game project, and how AI has quietly become one of the most useful tools in my daily workflow. ⚛️ React Native Radar State of React Native 2025 survey: early impressions & what stands out JavaScript Rising Stars 2025: what’s gaining traction (and what isn’t) 🧠 Build in Public Game updates & early revenue Why this project completely took over my brain Key lessons learned so far What I’m planning to do next A small but fun side tool: my asset/icon generator 🚨 Trending in Tech AI has crossed an interesting line Why engineers are finally talking about it constantly How it went from “meh” to genuinely incredible for building 🚀 Learn React Native : https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero 🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev ❤️ Socials https://x.com/schlimmson https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr 👨💻 Apps Tiny Harvest: https://tinyharvest.app/ Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021 Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980 🔗 Links JS Rising Stars 2025: https://risingstars.js.org/2025/en
December 30, 2025Episode 8832 min
088 - 2025 in React Native: The Good, the Overhyped, and the Lessons Learned
2025 is coming to an end - and instead of another release recap, this episode takes a step back. In this year-in-review , I reflect on what actually mattered in React Native in 2025: the shifts that changed how we build apps, what was overhyped, what quietly became important, and the lessons I’m taking into 2026. This is a calm, opinionated look at the year - from the perspective of someone building apps, teaching developers, and navigating a fast-moving ecosystem. 🧭 Topics in this episode 🔍 The big picture What kind of year 2025 really was for React Native Stability vs innovation: where the ecosystem landed Why this year felt different from previous “big” RN years ⚛️ What actually mattered in 2025 Changes that genuinely affected day-to-day development Where complexity moved (and where it didn’t) What turned out to be worth learning - and what wasn’t 📉 Overhyped vs underhyped Things that got more attention than they deserved Tools and ideas that quietly proved their value How hype cycles affected developer decision-making 🧠 Personal lessons from the year What I underestimated Mistakes I wouldn’t repeat How my approach to building, teaching, and content changed 🔮 Looking ahead to 2026 What I’m doubling down on What I’m deliberately saying “no” to Areas I’m curious about - but still skeptical 💬 Join the conversation What was your biggest takeaway from 2025? What do you want to leave behind - and what are you taking into 2026? Let me know on X / LinkedIn or in the YouTube comments. Thanks for listening - and see you in 2026 👋
This week’s episode covers a big React Native release , a critical React security vulnerability , and a wave of performance and DX improvements across the ecosystem. I also share updates from Tiny Harvest and talk about the realities of AI-assisted coding as projects grow. ⚛️ React Native Radar 🚀 React Native 0.83 released 📦 Release overview & what’s coming next in RN 📊 State of React Native 2025 Survey is now open 🎞️ Reanimated 4.2.0 with SET support ⚡ Pre-built artifacts config plugin for significantly faster builds 🔗 Detour – a new developer-friendly deep linking library 🧾 True Sheet 3.0 released ☁️ Nitro Cloud Uploader – resumable, background-friendly uploads 🔐 react-native-quick-crypto 1.0 – fast JSI-based crypto APIs 🧭 Expo Router previews 🧩 iOS Widgets with Expo UI – native widgets driven from JS 🧠 From My Projects: 🔧 Major refactor 📊 Added app events & analytics 🛍️ Brand new App Store page 🚨 Trending in Tech Critical security vulnerability in React Server Components 🚀 Learn React Native : https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero 🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev ❤️ Socials https://x.com/schlimmson https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr 👨💻 Apps Tiny Harvest: https://tinyharvest.app/ Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021 Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980 🔗 Links React Native 0.83: https://reactnative.dev/blog/2025/12/10/react-native-0.83 React Native Releases: https://reactnative.dev/docs/next/releases State of React Native survey: https://survey.2025.stateofreactnative.com/ Reanimated 4.2.0: https://blog.swmansion.com/introducing-reanimated-4-2-0-71eea21ca861 RN Pre-Built Artifacts: https://rnrepo.org/ Detour for Deep linking: https://docs.swmansion.com/detour/ True Sheet 3: https://sheet.lodev09.com/blog/release-3-0 RN Nitro Cloud Uploader: https://github.com/Gautham495/react-native-nitro-cloud-uploader RN Quick Crypto: https://github.com/margelo/react-native-quick-crypto Expo Router Preview: https://x.com/Baconbrix/status/1998438240291049931 Expo UI Widgets: https://x.com/k7grzywacz/status/1998387025615978645 Critical Security Vulnerability: https://react.dev/blog/2025/12/03/critical-security-vulnerability-in-react-server-components Mitigating vulnerabilities in RSC: https://expo.dev/changelog/mitigating-critical-security-vulnerability-in-react-server-components
This week’s episode covers a mix of major React Native updates , powerful new tools, and insights from publishing my AI-engineered farming game , Tiny Harvest. We also talk about early experiments like React Native Rails and what CSS Grid means for the future of layout on mobile. ⚛️ React Native Radar: ✨ Gifted Chat v3 rewrite – modernized API, performance fixes 📦 New expo-targets library for advanced project configuration 📄 React Navigation PageSheet – new modal presentation style 🧻 ActionSheet v10 – cleaner API & better native behavior 🎨 Skia zIndex – layering now works more intuitively ⚡ Faster JSON parsing improvements from Tzvetan Mikov 🧩 Expo Brownfield Target – integrate RN into existing native apps more easily 🔲 CSS Grid is coming to React Native (!) 🖥️ Radon IDE free trial – RN-focused development environment 🍏 Apple Mini Apps Program announced 📱 How Vercel built the v0 iOS app – great read on architecture & innovation 🧠 From My Projects: 🌬️ My Uniwind experience — what I’ve learned using it in real projects 🌾 I Built a Mobile Farming Game in 6 Days (AI + Expo) 📲 Tiny Harvest is now available on iOS & Android: https://tinyharvest.app/ 🚀 Learn React Native : https://galaxies.dev/missions/zero-to-hero 🔥 Weekly Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@galaxies_dev ❤️ Socials https://x.com/schlimmson https://www.tiktok.com/@simongrimm_ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongr 👨💻 Apps Matrix Manager: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/matrix-manager-task-manager/id6739463021 Quick Track: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quick-track-calorie-counter/id1669892980 Text to Voice AI: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/text-to-voice-ai-reader/id6739965632 Healthy Food Swap: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/healthy-food-swap/id6743627410 🔗 Links React Native Advent Calendar: https://galaxies.dev/calendar/2025 Tiny Harvest: https://tinyharvest.app/ Gifted Chat: https://github.com/FaridSafi/react-native-gifted-chat Expo Targets: https://github.com/csark0812/expo-targets Actions Sheet: https://github.com/ammarahm-ed/react-native-actions-sheet/releases/tag/v10.0.0 Hermes JSON: https://x.com/tmikov/status/1993080321626284194 Brownfield Target: https://x.com/swmansion/status/1991177091841208581 CSS Grid: https://github.com/facebook/yoga/pull/1865 Radon Free Plan: https://x.com/swmansion/status/1990801086622429568 How we built the v0 iOS App: https://vercel.com/blog/how-we-built-the-v0-ios-app
November 18, 2025Episode 8529 min
085 - Valdi vs React Native, Uniwind v1, WebGPU, Game Dev & AI Engineering
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
