Google has cancelled one of its biggest events of the year I/O 2020, due to Coronavirus fears. The outbreak of coronavirus outbreak is having a far more serious impact on the tech industry than it was imagined. After the cancellation of the Mobile World congress 2020, and subsequently calling off Facebook’s F8 conference, the virus has now been forced to cancel another biggest event of the year, i.e, Google I/O 2020.
Summers usually witness the top tech companies like Facebook and Microsoft, host their annual conferences for developers to announce their new features. But they all have been called off due to coronavirus. Apple, another big company is yet to announce its annual WWDC event or give any indication about its cancellation. But the speculations are that even the WWDC event could be hit by the fears of this coronavirus.
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I/O 2020 conference is basically for the company’s launch of its new products and services. Also, it allows the developer around the world to meet, with the hope of improving the products and services they make using Google’s platform. It is one of the most awaited events for the developers.
I/O 2020 was all set to take the lid off some major software and hardware innovations between May 12th to May 14th this year. The news regarding the cancellation came after Google scrapped its Cloud Next event in San Francisco and then chose to go ahead with a digital-first event.
Then Google released the statement to the media regarding the cancellation of the event. They said that it is because of the concerns related to the coronavirus, in accordance with the health guidance from the CDC, WHO, and other health authorities, that they took the decision to cancel this physical event, Google I/O 2020 at Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, California.
But Google suggested a virtual version of the event. In the coming weeks, they will find other ways to evolve Google I/O to best connect with the developers around the world.
Google said that everyone who had purchased the ticket will receive a refund by March 13, 2020. Also if you do not get the refund, or face any issues regarding the same you can reach out to io@google.com. Also, the people who were registered will automatically get the option to buy the I/O tickets next year without having to go through the ballot.
