Version 0.8.0rc1: Complete Rust API Rebuild

Introducing PinePods 0.8.0-rc1 – The largest Pinepods upgrade ever. Featuring a complete rebuild of the API in Rust, elimination of Python dependencies, and an official Native Mobile app built with Flutter.

🦀 Complete Rust API Transformation

• Python Elimination – All Python dependencies have been completely removed from the container, resulting in a dramatically smaller and more efficient deployment
• Horust Process Management – Switched from supervisor to Horust for robust, lightweight process supervision and startup management. This is part of removing the python dependency and also utilizes more great rust based dependancies
• Internal Task Scheduler – Background processes now run directly within the Rust API service using tokio-cron-scheduler, eliminating the Celery dependency entirely
• Enhanced Reliability – Background tasks are more reliable with better error handling, automatic retries, and integrated logging
• Streamlined Container – Significantly reduced container size and complexity with the removal of Python runtime and associated dependencies

📱 Official Native Mobile App

• Flutter-Based App – Brand new official mobile app built with Flutter for iOS and Android
• Cross-Platform Synchronization – Seamless sync between mobile, web, and other Pinepods clients (More to come on other very soon)
• Offline Support – Download episodes for offline listening with intelligent storage management
• Native Mobile Features – Background playback, lock screen controls, notification management, and mobile-optimized UI
• Professional Distribution – Will be available on both iOS App Store and Google Play Store

🔧 Infrastructure & Reliability Improvements

• Horust Service Management – All services now managed by Horust with proper process supervision, automatic restarts, and clean shutdown handling
• Integrated Background Processing – Podcast refresh, nightly maintenance, and cleanup tasks now run as scheduled jobs within the main Rust API service
• Database Operation Reliability – Improved server backup and restore operations with better error handling and validation
• Timezone Configuration – Runtime timezone configuration without container rebuilds, properly affecting all time-sensitive operations
• Simplified Deployment – Reduced container complexity and startup time with streamlined process management

🏗️ Development & Performance

• Pure Rust API – Complete rewrite of the Python API in Rust for improved performance, memory efficiency, and type safety
• Eliminated Dependencies – Removed Python runtime, Celery worker system, and associated packages from the container
• Better Resource Usage – Significantly reduced memory footprint and CPU usage with native Rust performance
• Improved Error Handling – Better error messages, logging, and debugging capabilities throughout the system
• Type Safety – Enhanced reliability through Rust's type system and memory safety guarantees

This release represents a fundamental transformation of PinePods architecture, moving from a mixed Python/Rust codebase to a pure Rust implementation with a professional mobile application, resulting in better performance, reliability, and user experience across all platforms.