NetEase Tech, March 4 — according to foreign media, out of concern over the novel coronavirus epidemic, Google announced the cancellation of its 2020 I/O developer conference. Google I/O is the company’s major annual event, originally scheduled for May 12–14 this year. Just days earlier, Google canceled its Cloud Next cloud computing event in San Francisco, moving it online. A Google spokesperson explained, “Out of concern over the novel coronavirus, and in line with health guidance from the CDC, WHO, and other health organizations, we have decided to cancel Google I/O at the Shoreline Amphitheatre.”
Google usually treats I/O as its biggest news event of the year, announcing updates to the Android mobile OS, Google hardware devices, and services like Google Maps. Google said it is now exploring “other ways to improve I/O so we can communicate well with developers and better build the community.”
Google said attendees will receive a full refund before March 13, and ticket buyers may alternatively choose to purchase tickets for the 2021 Google I/O.
Google’s cancellation of I/O is the latest in a series of tech events canceled over novel coronavirus concerns. Last month’s Mobile World Congress was canceled, followed by Facebook’s F8 developer conference, the Game Developers Conference, and more. (Chenchen)