Node is back in the news with some noteworthy updates as v24 drops. It gets an upgrade to 13.6 for its V8 JavaScript engine, runs with npm version 11, and has more efficient implementation of the local storage API and test runner updates. Google has released its newest version of its Gemini AI model: Gemini 2.5 Pro Preview (I/O Edition), which claims to be the best model for front-end and UI development. To prove it, Google links to a site called the WebDev Arena (where Gemini 2.5 Pro Preview ranks #1), that lets users put in a prompt and then pits different AI models head to head to build a site based on the prompt. Figma just had their 2025 Config conference and unveiled a host of new offerings, including Figma Sites that lets folks design, prototype and publish with Figma, and Figma Make the AI prompting tool that can add functionality to a Figma mockup via natural language directions. News: Paige - Node 24 updates Jack - Figma Make and Figma Sites and conference demo video TJ - Gemini 2.5 updates and WebDev Arena Bonus News: Take the first annual State of Devs survey OpenAI agrees to buy Windsurf for $3B Fire Starters: CSS reading-flow and reading-order What Makes Us Happy this Week: Paige - Old Town Trolley Tours Jack - The Residence TV show TJ - ChatGPT helping with camera & video setup 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 talk to us on X, Bluesky, or YouTube. Front-end Fire website Blue Collar Coder on YouTube Blue Collar Coder on Discord Reach out via email Tweet at us on X @front_end_fire Follow us on Bluesky @front-end-fire.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @Front-EndFirePodcast
