084 - Expo MCP, MMKV, Godot Games & React Native Package Confusion

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

What is Rocket Ship?

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.