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Google Cancels I/O 2020 Completely

By Simon Batt
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As we’ve covered in the past, tech companies are struggling to keep up with the new coronavirus threat, COVID-19. For example, Apple has decided to put the WWDC online for its 2020 entry.

Google has a developer conference of their own: the I/O conference, which usually takes place in May. However, unlike Apple, Google has decided to pull the plug on the conference and cancel its 2020 entry.

Didn’t this Happen Before?

Astute readers may be confused as to why this is news, as Google canceled I/O back on March 3rd. However, at that time Google had only officially canceled the physical meetup for I/O. They had told attendees to look for a potential virtual experience, much like how Apple solved their problem.

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Google, however, couldn’t find a suitable replacement for their physical offering. As such, they declared that there will be no Google I/O whatsoever – not even a digital version.

As per the Google I/O website:

Out of concern for the health and safety of our developers, employees, and local communities – and in line with recent “shelter-in-place” orders by the local Bay Area counties – we sadly will not be holding I/O in any capacity this year.

Right now, the most important thing all of us can do is focus our attention on helping people with the new challenges we all face. Please know that we remain committed to finding other ways to share platform updates with you through our developer blogs and community forums.

The FAQ goes into detail to state that the conference won’t have a digital variant or be pushed back to Fall. I/O 2020 has been fully canceled; everyone who bought tickets gets refunds, and everyone who won tickets will get one for I/O 2021 instead.

How Will Google Distribute News?

People who are fans of I/O will know that it’s Google’s main event for announcing new devices and services. Now that Google I/O 2020 is history, how will these announcements take place?

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Unfortunately, Google hasn’t released a plan for how they’ll reveal their latest inventions. It may simply be a news article that goes out in May or whenever they feel ready to announce products. People were looking forward to I/O for more news on Android and Google services, so hopefully, Google finds a way to give the announcements the justice they deserve.

More COVID-19 Cancellations

As COVID-19 spreads across the world at a fast rate, companies have had to change their 2020 plans. While Apple managed to shift its WWDC event online, Google’s I/O event wasn’t so lucky. People waiting for new Android news will have to keep tabs on Google instead to see how the information will be relayed.

Are you disappointed that Google I/O was canceled? Let us know below.

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Simon Batt Avatar
Simon Batt
Simon Batt is a Computer Science graduate with a passion for cybersecurity.

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