Expo Unlocks RSCs, Amazon’s RTO Mandate, and CSS Masonry Layouts Debate

Front-End Fire

We kick off this week’s episode with news that React Native framework Expo now has a developer preview of universal React Server Components. For the first time ever, you can use React Server Components & Server Actions in native apps.

In a controversial move, Amazon has mandated all employees must return to offices by Jan 2025. The hosts discuss the pros and cons of working from the office vs remote, and speculate this is just another way for Amazon to conduct layoffs without actually laying more employees off.

CSS masonry, a long yearned for feature, gets closer to reality. The Google Chrome and Apple WebKit teams have differing opinions about how CSS masonry’s syntax should be added to the spec (reuse CSS grid or create a whole new layout property for masonry), and they want devs to weigh in to help make the final decision.

News:

• Paige - CSS masonry layout controversy
• Jack - React Native has beta RSCs
• TJ - Amazon is making its employees come back to the office

Bonus News:

• CSS gets a new logo that’s not a shield! - h/t to Adam Argyle for this breaking news
• Regulators causing nuclear power issues for Meta and Amazon
• WordPress tracking sites leaving WP Engine hosting

Fire Starters:

• CSS stretch keyword

What Makes Us Happy this Week:

• Paige - Unreasonable Hospitality book
• Jack - Lioness TV show
• TJ - Daisy Darker

Thanks as always to our sponsor, the Blue Collar Coder channel on YouTube. You can join us in our Discord channel, explore our website and reach us via email, or Tweet us on X @front_end_fire and BlueSky.

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