Google's biggest event, I/O 2020, canceled over coronavirus concerns
What's the story
Google I/O will not take place this year. The developer-focused conference, Google's biggest annual event, was scheduled to begin from May 12, but in the wake of growing concerns over coronavirus outbreak in the US, the company has decided to cancel the whole thing. It's the latest in the list of events/conferences/summits that have been canceled due to the deadly disease outbreak. Here's more.
Announcement
Google announced I/O 2020 cancellation online
Just recently, Google updated its I/O 2020 website with a post noting that the event, which sees thousands of attendees every year, has been canceled. "Due to concerns around the coronavirus (COVID-19), and in accordance with health guidance from the CDC, WHO, and other health authorities, we have decided to cancel the physical Google I/O event at Shoreline Amphitheatre," the company message read.
Promise
Ticket refunds promised to this year's visitors
Google added in the note that people who have already purchased the ticket to attend this year's event would be refunded in full by March 13. If the refund isn't processed by this date, you can email the company at io@google.com. In addition to this, the company says that this year's attendees will also get the option of buying tickets for I/O 2021.
Announcements
So, what happens to announcements scheduled for I/O 2020
Google typically uses the I/O event to announce new hardware and updates to Android, Google Assistant, and other software products. Now, with no event this year, all these announcements might be shifted to a digital conference, much like its Cloud Next conference. For now, the company only says it is exploring "other ways to evolve Google I/O" to best connect with its developer community.
Impact
With this, coronavirus continues to hit tech industry
The cancellation of the event marks the latest blow of coronavirus to the global tech industry. Ever since the deadly disease, which has already claimed over 3,100 lives, began spreading from the Chinese city of Wuhan, a number of tech conferences and summits have been canceled, including the Mobile World Conference, the Game Developer Conference, Facebook's F8, and Microsoft's MVP Summit.