Google cancels I/O 2020 entirely, even the online event

Google has entirely cancelled its annual I/O developer conference for this year due to COVID-19 concerns. Earlier this month, the company cancelled the in-person aspect of the conference while planning to host the event in an online capacity, which now changes to no Google I/O 2020 at all.

Google made the announcement through its Google for Developers handle on Twitter earlier today. The company said it is abiding by the Bay Area’s Shelter in Place order to ensure the safety of people is the first priority. 

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.

While this means no Google I/O this year, we will still be getting updates on Google’s products and services through its developer blog and community forums.

Many tech conferences have been canceled since February, including the Mobile World Congress, and some have been switched to an online-only format amid the COVID-19 concerns. Google is the first Silicon Valley giant to entirely cancel its annual developer conference so far.