I/O, I/O, No Work From Home For Show: Google Will Not Hold 2020 Event 'in Any Capacity'

Google has announced that its I/O 2020 event, normally used for announcements relating to Android and other products, has been cancelled completely.

The event, which was originally scheduled for May 12-14 in Mountain View, California, was cancelled as a physical event on March 3, "due to concerns around the coronavirus (COVID-19)". Now Google says it "will not be holding I/O in any capacity this year".

The reason given is the "health and safety of our developers, employees, and local communities". Even a virtual event is hard to put on without any in-person meetings, which are now restricted by local "shelter in place" orders which require residents to stay at home other than for "essential services" and "essential activities".

It is also possible that schedules for products or services that Google intended to announce have been disrupted. Last week the company said that it was "pausing upcoming Chrome and Chrome OS releases" thanks to "adjusted work schedules".

Android development continues, though, and developer preview 2 of Android 11 (also known as Android R) was announced last week. The company says it remains "committed to sharing ongoing Android updates with you through our developer blogs and community forums". ®

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