The COVID-19 virus (also known as coronavirus) is having a terrible effect on the tech industry on a global scale. It was due to same reason why the GSMA canceled the Mobile World Congress, a major tradeshow for the smartphone industry.
According to The Verge, the latest to join the train is Google via a statement which explained that its annual developer conference, expected to hold on May 12-14, would no longer be held physically.
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.†– Google Spokesperson
Google has also sent out a message to attendees of Google I/O as reported by Droid Life. Google explains that all attendees who paid to attend the developer’s event will be fully refunded by March 13. In addition, those who registered for this year’s drawing will need to register again for Google I/O 20201.
Google uses I/O to announce what the company is working on in software advancements, new services, and improvements to existing Google products like Google Assistant, and Android. Google I/O is usually where features for the next version of Android are revealed.
Google is still going to hold it usual announcements. The difference is that the events will be livestreamed instead of physically hosting reporters.
