Best of Android — November 2025

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    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·23w

    Snapchat/Valdi: Valdi is a cross-platform UI framework that delivers native performance without sacrificing developer velocity.

    Valdi is an open-source cross-platform UI framework from Snapchat that compiles TypeScript components directly to native iOS, Android, and macOS views without web views or JavaScript bridges. Battle-tested in Snap's production apps for 8 years, it features automatic view recycling, instant hot reload, full VSCode debugging, and flexible integration with existing native codebases. The framework includes a C++ layout engine, worker thread support, native animations, and type-safe bindings between TypeScript and platform-specific code.

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    Article
    Avatar of emergetoolsEmerge Tools·22w

    Reaper - An open-source SDK for finding dead code

    Sentry open-sourced Reaper, an SDK for detecting dead code in iOS and Android apps through runtime analysis. Unlike static analysis tools, Reaper monitors actual user sessions to identify code that's never executed in production. The iOS version leverages Objective-C and Swift runtime metadata to track type initialization with zero runtime overhead. The Android version instruments bytecode at build time, injecting tracking calls into class initializers. Both implementations allow teams to aggregate usage data across app versions and safely identify unused code for deletion, helping manage codebase complexity and technical debt.

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    Article
    Avatar of 80lv80 LEVEL·23w

    Programmer Discovers His Smart Vacuum Was Spying on Him

    A programmer discovered his ILIFE A11 smart vacuum was sending unencrypted data including Wi-Fi credentials and home maps to manufacturer servers. When he blocked the data transmission, the device was remotely bricked by the manufacturer. After disassembling it and accessing its unprotected Android Debug Bridge, he found the manufacturer had root access via pre-installed software. The same hardware powers devices from multiple brands including Xiaomi and Wyze, suggesting widespread vulnerability. He successfully restored the device with full local control by removing manufacturer access.

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    Video
    Avatar of codeheadCodeHead·22w

    99% Of Devs Are SLEEPING On Kotlin

    Kotlin has evolved beyond its Android origins into a versatile multiplatform language suitable for backend, frontend, and mobile development. Key advantages include built-in null safety, seamless Java interoperability, modern coroutines for asynchronous programming, and the ability to share code across platforms. Companies like Netflix and Pinterest are adopting Kotlin for server-side services due to its safety and productivity benefits. The language offers incremental adoption paths through frameworks like Ktor for backends and Kotlin Multiplatform for cross-platform development, making it a practical choice for teams looking to reduce bugs and improve development velocity.

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    Article
    Avatar of allthingsopenAll Things Open·23w

    12 everyday technologies powered by Linux

    Linux powers a vast array of everyday technologies beyond servers and desktops. It runs NASA's space systems, Android smartphones holding 75% of the global market, smart TVs and streaming devices, modern car infotainment systems, home routers, and even Microsoft Azure infrastructure. From the International Space Station to retail checkout systems, Linux provides the stability, security, and flexibility that makes modern connected life possible. Its open source foundation enables customization across devices ranging from Kindle eReaders and smartwatches to gaming platforms like Steam Deck.

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