App performance case studies & May community updates

This edition highlights real-life cases of app performance enhancements, provides resources to learn practical tips and strategies for improving app performance, and offers your monthly dose of community insights.

App Performance Makeovers

In the spotlight, we unveil the remarkable transformation of the Expensify app, now offering lightning-fast experiences, thanks to a systematic DMAIC approach.

By aligning objectives with business goals and implementing targeted improvements, we've achieved great results without compromising functionality. From 14.5 to 2.5 seconds, sending messages is now seamless and swift. Find out more in our latest case study.

Check the case study

And that's not all! Among the novelties on our case study page, there's another one that deserves special attention. Our team effectively overhauled the AutoZone app's performance, improving it by a staggering 200%. You can read all about it here.

Your Guide to React Native Optimization

All the secrets to optimizing app performance are learnable and available in the form of a comprehensive guide: The Ultimate Guide to React Native Optimization. You must've heard we published a new edition this year 🥳

Our guide offers practical knowledge and actionable insights to help you create lightning-fast experiences for your users. Dive into the world of app optimization and get your free copy.

Download the guide

React Native Optimization for Web3

If you need resources for optimizing React Native apps in web3 environments, we've got you covered too. Find out how to ensure better security and performance with our web3 series:

• The Mini Guide to React Native Optimization for Web3
• Increase Speed and Security With Native Crypto Libraries

What's Up in the Community?

The tech landscape is changing fast. To help you stay on top of the game, our Technology Team has picked top news, releases, and stories from the world of React and React Native.

New Tools & Releases

• React Native 0.74 is here, featuring Yoga 3.0, Bridgeless New Architecture, batched onLayout updates, and Yarn 3 as the default package manager. Deprecated APIs like PropTypes are removed, and there are breaking changes to PushNotificationIOS. Plus, Android's minimum supported version is now SDK 23 (Android 6.0).Tune in to our podcast episode for an exclusive peek behind the scenes of this release. The guests are the release crew members!
• The platform that we maintain and create is ready for React Native 0.74: React Native visionOS 0.74 is out, with enhancements from upstream.
• Expo SDK 51 has been released, packed with improvements and new features. This release marks an important step forward in rolling out the long-awaited New Architecture for React Native, with support for bridgeless and enhancements to Expo modules. Plus, Expo SDK 51 includes React Native 0.74!
• React 19 Beta has landed on npm, packed with new features and improvements. Notably, it introduces Actions, enabling seamless handling of data mutations with async functions, and integrates with <form> features for react-dom.
• Also, new hooks like useActionState and useOptimistic simplify common use cases, while the use API provides a versatile way to consume resources in render. And let's not forget Server Components and Server Actions, empowering advanced rendering capabilities.
• Re.Pack 4.0.0 has just come out, with a myriad of enhancements and fixes. From support for the New Architecture and experimental debugger to Metro-compatible module resolution and a fresh new look for the docs, there's a lot to explore. Head over to a migration guide, and get started with Re.Pack v4!
• Reassure v1.0 RC is now available! This release brings some breaking changes, including renaming measurePerformance to measureRenders and resetToDefault to resetToDefaults. Ready to test it out? Upgrade with yarn add --dev reassure@next.

Other Tech News

• React Conf is May 15-16 🚀 It's two days of insightful discussions powered by Callstack & Meta. You can follow the conference updates on React and Callstack Engineers X accounts.
• The brand new openai dot com is now live, powered by Next.js and hosted on Vercel. Learn more about their groundbreaking projects and research here.
• Do you know React Native Optimization Shorts? It's a video series where we take Callstack's Ultimate Guide to React Native Optimization from page to practice. Check it out!

Tech Leadership Insights

As a tech leader, you already have too much on your plate. That's why we've curated a digestible portion of recent insights at the intersection of business and tech.

• Learn about the transformative landscape of Agile methodologies with Agile in the Age of AI. The piece discusses how AI is reshaping familiar practices like Scrum, leading to smaller, more efficient teams and shorter development cycles. Discover the evolving role of developers, the future of sprints, and the necessity for continuous recalibration.
• Do you always know how to navigate Slack effectively? Delve into the nuances of Slack etiquette within software engineering teams. This article covers topics ranging from synchronous vs. asynchronous communication to setting clear expectations and respecting colleagues' time, all while considering the influence of leadership behavior on organizational Slack culture.
• Here Mike Elgan dives into the perennial issue of unproductive meetings. He advocates for a shift towards asynchronous communication and explores the potential of augmented reality and AI tools in improving internal communication and fostering connection in the workplace.
• In this article, programmer Jon Olson shares his experience developing an AI resume assistant to showcase his skills while job hunting. He discusses his approach, including the usage of large language models (LLMs) and integrating retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) techniques.
• Any avid bikers out there? Learn how engineering teams can draw insights from cycling strategies in this article. From leveraging ensemble working for speed gains to understanding the importance of support staff, this piece offers valuable parallels for optimizing software development practices.