Afzal Najam
@afzal.me
Android Developer @ Doist (Todoist and Twist) 🇨🇦. Words are my own.
I write on https://afzal.me and https://doist.dev
#Android #JetpackCompose #Kotlin
I write on https://afzal.me and https://doist.dev
#Android #JetpackCompose #Kotlin
Reposted by Afzal Najam
I'm drowning in AI features I never asked for and I hate it | Discussion
I’m drowning in AI features I never asked for and I absolutely hate it
The AI bubble is real.
www.makeuseof.com
October 26, 2025 at 2:40 AM
I'm drowning in AI features I never asked for and I hate it | Discussion
Reposted by Afzal Najam
I've been experimenting a lot with the new navigation events library and navigation 3, and wrote about 3 unique animations and transitions you can create with them:
www.tunjid.com/articles/3-u...
www.tunjid.com/articles/3-u...
3 unique predictive back animations you can create with the navigation events library
Swipe to pop, drag to pop, and sticky shared elements animations
www.tunjid.com
August 28, 2025 at 5:21 PM
I've been experimenting a lot with the new navigation events library and navigation 3, and wrote about 3 unique animations and transitions you can create with them:
www.tunjid.com/articles/3-u...
www.tunjid.com/articles/3-u...
The best outcome from all this "developer verification", "age verification", and similar surveillance tools is that maybe, we'll just stop using the internet for everything non-essential and go back to living real lives.
Who am I kidding, we're spoiled rotten.
Who am I kidding, we're spoiled rotten.
August 27, 2025 at 4:07 PM
The best outcome from all this "developer verification", "age verification", and similar surveillance tools is that maybe, we'll just stop using the internet for everything non-essential and go back to living real lives.
Who am I kidding, we're spoiled rotten.
Who am I kidding, we're spoiled rotten.
Reposted by Afzal Najam
Google product development in 2025
August 26, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Google product development in 2025
Reposted by Afzal Najam
There's no good reason why people distributing apps outside the Play Store should need to provide their personal data to Google.
This is just taking Android into the horrible world of dev accounts and notarization that Apple enforces.
This is just taking Android into the horrible world of dev accounts and notarization that Apple enforces.
August 26, 2025 at 4:27 AM
There's no good reason why people distributing apps outside the Play Store should need to provide their personal data to Google.
This is just taking Android into the horrible world of dev accounts and notarization that Apple enforces.
This is just taking Android into the horrible world of dev accounts and notarization that Apple enforces.
Reposted by Afzal Najam
Wrote a lot of thoughts on junior developers, AI, and what I strongly feel is going to become the defining challenge of our industry's next generation.
www.zacsweers.dev/forklifts-re...
www.zacsweers.dev/forklifts-re...
Forklifts Require Training
Sleepwalking into labor collapse
www.zacsweers.dev
August 18, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Wrote a lot of thoughts on junior developers, AI, and what I strongly feel is going to become the defining challenge of our industry's next generation.
www.zacsweers.dev/forklifts-re...
www.zacsweers.dev/forklifts-re...
Reposted by Afzal Najam
Another issue, another set of uncomfortable questions. Time time, they are about the proposed Android developer verification program: commonsware.com/blog/2025/08... #AndroidDev
August 26, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Another issue, another set of uncomfortable questions. Time time, they are about the proposed Android developer verification program: commonsware.com/blog/2025/08... #AndroidDev
Reposted by Afzal Najam
To be clear, this article headline is deeply misleading.
The real headline: Google is banning sideloading on Android.
It's anti-competition, deeply intrusive, and extremely dangerous to those in countries with totalitarian regimes (which Google typically bends a knee to).
The real headline: Google is banning sideloading on Android.
It's anti-competition, deeply intrusive, and extremely dangerous to those in countries with totalitarian regimes (which Google typically bends a knee to).
This is a horrifically bad idea and it has absolutely nothing to do with security.
android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/elev...
android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/08/elev...
A new layer of security for certified Android devices
Starting in 2026 and in select countries first, Android apps must be registered to a verified developer in order to be installed.
android-developers.googleblog.com
August 27, 2025 at 6:49 AM
To be clear, this article headline is deeply misleading.
The real headline: Google is banning sideloading on Android.
It's anti-competition, deeply intrusive, and extremely dangerous to those in countries with totalitarian regimes (which Google typically bends a knee to).
The real headline: Google is banning sideloading on Android.
It's anti-competition, deeply intrusive, and extremely dangerous to those in countries with totalitarian regimes (which Google typically bends a knee to).
Suddenly, Google needs to know the real identities of developers. Do you think malware creators will register their APKs with you before they exploit the OS?
If not, then it's clear that you're after individuals who are creating apps that you don't like.
If not, then it's clear that you're after individuals who are creating apps that you don't like.
August 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Suddenly, Google needs to know the real identities of developers. Do you think malware creators will register their APKs with you before they exploit the OS?
If not, then it's clear that you're after individuals who are creating apps that you don't like.
If not, then it's clear that you're after individuals who are creating apps that you don't like.
Reposted by Afzal Najam
AI was supposed to make us more efficient.
Instead, it’s fragmenting our workflows, bloating our calendars, and burning out high performers.
I wrote about the false promise of AI productivity and why we’re actually working harder than ever:
afterburnout.co/p/ai-promise...
Instead, it’s fragmenting our workflows, bloating our calendars, and burning out high performers.
I wrote about the false promise of AI productivity and why we’re actually working harder than ever:
afterburnout.co/p/ai-promise...
AI promised efficiency. Instead, it’s making us work harder.
AI tools were supposed to free up our time—but they’re increasing our cognitive load and making us less productive. Here’s what’s really happening (and how to use them without burning out).
afterburnout.co
August 4, 2025 at 1:01 PM
AI was supposed to make us more efficient.
Instead, it’s fragmenting our workflows, bloating our calendars, and burning out high performers.
I wrote about the false promise of AI productivity and why we’re actually working harder than ever:
afterburnout.co/p/ai-promise...
Instead, it’s fragmenting our workflows, bloating our calendars, and burning out high performers.
I wrote about the false promise of AI productivity and why we’re actually working harder than ever:
afterburnout.co/p/ai-promise...
Reposted by Afzal Najam
Don't have the Androids audiobook yet?
Or need a second copy to listen to it in stereo?
My publisher is running a 50% off sale through September 5, get yours for $10:
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
Or need a second copy to listen to it in stereo?
My publisher is running a 50% off sale through September 5, get yours for $10:
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
50% OFF Androids: The Team that Built the Android Operating System
The fascinating inside story of how the Android operating system came to be.
In 2004, Android was two people who wanted to build camera software but couldn't get investors interested. Today, A...
www.audiobooks.com
August 7, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Don't have the Androids audiobook yet?
Or need a second copy to listen to it in stereo?
My publisher is running a 50% off sale through September 5, get yours for $10:
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
Or need a second copy to listen to it in stereo?
My publisher is running a 50% off sale through September 5, get yours for $10:
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
Reposted by Afzal Najam
Stop Calling AI a “Junior Engineer”
They are tools, not teammates
blog.mmckenna.me
July 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Lol had some fun with Goose at MCP hack night in Toronto.
Everything's fun when the tokens are free 😅
@iandouglas736.com Thanks for hosting this!
#TorontoTechWeek
Everything's fun when the tokens are free 😅
@iandouglas736.com Thanks for hosting this!
#TorontoTechWeek
June 25, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Lol had some fun with Goose at MCP hack night in Toronto.
Everything's fun when the tokens are free 😅
@iandouglas736.com Thanks for hosting this!
#TorontoTechWeek
Everything's fun when the tokens are free 😅
@iandouglas736.com Thanks for hosting this!
#TorontoTechWeek
Reposted by Afzal Najam
Safety critical and driving errors on day 1:
1. The Supervised Robotaxi failed to turn left and panicked during Rob Mauer's ride, whipping the wheel back and forth. It then drove on the wrong side of the road, failed to correct itself and continued to drive down the wrong side of the road.
1. The Supervised Robotaxi failed to turn left and panicked during Rob Mauer's ride, whipping the wheel back and forth. It then drove on the wrong side of the road, failed to correct itself and continued to drive down the wrong side of the road.
June 24, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Safety critical and driving errors on day 1:
1. The Supervised Robotaxi failed to turn left and panicked during Rob Mauer's ride, whipping the wheel back and forth. It then drove on the wrong side of the road, failed to correct itself and continued to drive down the wrong side of the road.
1. The Supervised Robotaxi failed to turn left and panicked during Rob Mauer's ride, whipping the wheel back and forth. It then drove on the wrong side of the road, failed to correct itself and continued to drive down the wrong side of the road.
Everyone's saying we're more productive with AI now.
So we can finally have a 4 day work week then?
So we can finally have a 4 day work week then?
June 24, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Everyone's saying we're more productive with AI now.
So we can finally have a 4 day work week then?
So we can finally have a 4 day work week then?
Reposted by Afzal Najam
I was barely online during KotlinConf 2025, so here's my follow-up now.
Thank you so much everyone who joined us, in person or online. It was an incredible experience connecting with the community! ❤️
Here are some highlights of news below, as you've probably missed some! 🧵
Thank you so much everyone who joined us, in person or online. It was an incredible experience connecting with the community! ❤️
Here are some highlights of news below, as you've probably missed some! 🧵
May 28, 2025 at 12:55 PM
I was barely online during KotlinConf 2025, so here's my follow-up now.
Thank you so much everyone who joined us, in person or online. It was an incredible experience connecting with the community! ❤️
Here are some highlights of news below, as you've probably missed some! 🧵
Thank you so much everyone who joined us, in person or online. It was an incredible experience connecting with the community! ❤️
Here are some highlights of news below, as you've probably missed some! 🧵
Reposted by Afzal Najam
Union types + Rich Errors
Still not clear to me how union types will work (typescript PSTD), but Im all in for rich errors
Still not clear to me how union types will work (typescript PSTD), but Im all in for rich errors
May 22, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Union types + Rich Errors
Still not clear to me how union types will work (typescript PSTD), but Im all in for rich errors
Still not clear to me how union types will work (typescript PSTD), but Im all in for rich errors
I wouldn't mind a future where I controlled my computer over voice to tell some LLM to code different things, wearing AR glasses to glance at what it was doing when needed, while walking in a park during the work day. The pieces are kinda all there, except maybe the AR glasses to peek at the screen.
May 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
I wouldn't mind a future where I controlled my computer over voice to tell some LLM to code different things, wearing AR glasses to glance at what it was doing when needed, while walking in a park during the work day. The pieces are kinda all there, except maybe the AR glasses to peek at the screen.
Anybody tried out @getpieces.bsky.social ? I just tried it and while it's super cool. It gave me "keylogger with an AI" vibes just because it's always screen recording and has all the accessibility permissions. Plus, it didn't help that Local mode didn't do anything on my M1 Mac.
May 16, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Anybody tried out @getpieces.bsky.social ? I just tried it and while it's super cool. It gave me "keylogger with an AI" vibes just because it's always screen recording and has all the accessibility permissions. Plus, it didn't help that Local mode didn't do anything on my M1 Mac.
Reposted by Afzal Najam
Don't use Gson on Android. Use Kotlin Serialization instead. It relies on code generation instead of reflection. This helps avoid optimization related crashes and faster app performance.
github.com/google/gson?...
github.com/Kotlin/kotli...
github.com/google/gson?...
github.com/Kotlin/kotli...
May 15, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Don't use Gson on Android. Use Kotlin Serialization instead. It relies on code generation instead of reflection. This helps avoid optimization related crashes and faster app performance.
github.com/google/gson?...
github.com/Kotlin/kotli...
github.com/google/gson?...
github.com/Kotlin/kotli...
Reposted by Afzal Najam
Wait, you *still* haven't listened to the Androids book? What are you waiting for? A sale?
Good call: my publisher is selling the audiobook for 50% off until May 11 here:
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
Good call: my publisher is selling the audiobook for 50% off until May 11 here:
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
50% OFF Androids: The Team that Built the Android Operating System
The fascinating inside story of how the Android operating system came to be.
In 2004, Android was two people who wanted to build camera software but couldn't get investors interested. Today...
www.audiobooks.com
May 8, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Wait, you *still* haven't listened to the Androids book? What are you waiting for? A sale?
Good call: my publisher is selling the audiobook for 50% off until May 11 here:
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
Good call: my publisher is selling the audiobook for 50% off until May 11 here:
www.audiobooks.com/promotions/p...
Reposted by Afzal Najam
🔥 Compose Multiplatform for iOS is Stable and Production-Ready! 🔥
Build mobile apps faster with shared UI code, full control over native experiences, and the confidence to ship at scale.
Explore all the updates in Compose Multiplatform 1.8.0: 👇
blog.jetbrains.com/kotlin/2025/...
Build mobile apps faster with shared UI code, full control over native experiences, and the confidence to ship at scale.
Explore all the updates in Compose Multiplatform 1.8.0: 👇
blog.jetbrains.com/kotlin/2025/...
Compose Multiplatform 1.8.0 Released: Compose Multiplatform for iOS Is Stable and Production-Ready | The Kotlin Blog
Kotlin Multiplatform becomes a complete solution for mobile development, enabling flexible code sharing across both business logic and UI without compromising app quality or losing control over platfo...
blog.jetbrains.com
May 6, 2025 at 5:26 PM
🔥 Compose Multiplatform for iOS is Stable and Production-Ready! 🔥
Build mobile apps faster with shared UI code, full control over native experiences, and the confidence to ship at scale.
Explore all the updates in Compose Multiplatform 1.8.0: 👇
blog.jetbrains.com/kotlin/2025/...
Build mobile apps faster with shared UI code, full control over native experiences, and the confidence to ship at scale.
Explore all the updates in Compose Multiplatform 1.8.0: 👇
blog.jetbrains.com/kotlin/2025/...
Reposted by Afzal Najam
I'm currently looking for a new fully remote, contract role. I have 15 years of Android experience, and plenty more Kotlin, Java , C / C++, and even more obscure stuff
May 5, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I'm currently looking for a new fully remote, contract role. I have 15 years of Android experience, and plenty more Kotlin, Java , C / C++, and even more obscure stuff