Google has fully cancelled its I/O conference three weeks after it cancelled the physical elements of the annual developer and press meet up.
The company was planning to potentially run online workshops and webinars for developers and press, but it has decided to scrap the whole event in the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic.
Google’s statement reads:
“Out of concern for the health and safety of our developers, employees, and local communities — and in line with recent “shelter in place” orders by the local Bay Area counties — we sadly will not be holding I/O in any capacity this year.
“Right now, the most important thing all of us can do is focus our attention on helping people with the new challenges we all face. Please know that we remain committed to finding other ways to share platform updates with you through our developer blogs and community forums.
“Take care of yourselves. We’ll continue to do everything we can to help our communities stay safe, informed, and connected.”
The promise to update via its blog could see a trickle of announcements about Google apps and services over the coming months. I/O would have taken place 12-14 May.
Aside from the usual discussions around the next version of Android and how developers can best implement its new features into their apps, I/O 2020 was widely thought to be where Google would introduce the Pixel 4a and 4a XL.
It’s unknown at present if this handset launch will go ahead, although Huawei currently plans to stream its P40 series flagship launch event online despite the disruption.
Author: Henry Burrell, Phones Editor
Henry is Tech Advisor’s Phones Editor, ensuring he and the team covers and reviews every smartphone worth knowing about for readers and viewers all over the world. He spends a lot of time moving between different handsets and shouting at WhatsApp to support multiple devices at once.