Editor's note: Update with the latest companies to abandon SXSW.
The effects of the coronavirus epidemic continue to be felt in the tech world where another prominent tech event has just been wiped off the calendar.
Google has canceled its annual developer conference, Google I / O, scheduled to start in Mountain View, California on May 12. Google I / O typically sees a preview of the next version of Android, as well as announcements about other software products it is working on. Last year's conference also saw new hardware as Google showcased both the Pixel 3a smartphone and the Nest Hub Max smart screen.
Google told attendees that this year's show is turned off via email; the I / O site also confirms the cancellation. In its message to I / O attendees, the company said, "We will explore other ways to evolve Google's I / O to better connect with our developer community." This probably means an online conference, although Google says more information will be published on the I / O site.
Google I / O canceled due to # Corvid19, conference will be remotely instead @AndroidPolice @arstechnica @Google @googledevs #GoogleIO pic.twitter.com/YyQ2c8mTIPMarch 3, 2020
The cancellation of Google I / O comes just days after the postponement of GDC, an annual event focused on games and game developers. GDC organizers hope to reschedule the event for the summer.
Here is a summary of the tech events that have been canceled so far due to concerns about the coronavirus epidemic and how the organizers have restructured those events. We have also looked at the main technological events planned for the coming months, which will now be under pressure to announce their plans following the occurrence of cases of coronavirus, in the United States and abroad.
Technology events canceled due to coronavirus (so far)
Mobile World Congress: The annual summit of the mobile industry in Barcelona was due to start on February 26, but the organizers disconnected the event in mid-February after the withdrawal of many exhibitors. Qualcomm and Sony have both released their MWC announcements online, while LG has announced the LG V60 ThinQ via press releases instead of an MWC press event.
Game developer conference: Originally scheduled for the week of March 16, GDC organizers postponed the show last week. They say they will try to reschedule for the summer.
Facebook F8: The Facebook developer conference is usually held in late April, but Facebook has already announced that the event has been canceled. Instead, Facebook says it plans to "replace the F8 event in person with locally hosted live events, videos and content."
Google I / O: The annual Google Developer Conference is no longer held at the Shoreline Amphitheater in May. Google is still looking for ways to move forward without an in-person event, with plans to be announced on its developer conference website.
Upcoming technology events: what's still happening (for now)
South by southwest: The culture and technology confab should start again on March 13, with organizers saying they "work closely with local, state and federal agencies on a daily basis to plan a safe event." However, Facebook and Twitter both abandoned SXSW 2020, and TikTok joined them today (March 3). There is even an online petition calling for cancellation of the event.
Microsoft Build: Microsoft's annual developer conference is slated to start on May 19, a week after the launch of Google I / O. There is no word on a change in the status of Microsoft Build, but you'd think the decision Google to cancel I / O could convince Microsoft to follow this developer event. Microsoft has already canceled its most valuable professional summit on March 15 on coronavirus problems.
Apple WWDC: No date has yet been set for the Apple Global Developer Conference, although Apple usually hosts this event the first week of June. Recent WWDCs have taken place in San Jose, California. This year's event is expected to feature new versions of macOS, watchOS and iOS 14, among other updates. Apple has restricted employee travel to the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus and the epidemic has forced the closure of Apple stores in China, so the company is obviously aware of the situation.
?99 days until E3 2020, 99 days until E3! EttingS & # 39; excite? Don't forget to get your player badge: https://t.co/6UJv3ylBzN pic.twitter.com/fZqW88S2XsMarch 2, 2020
E3: E3 is scheduled to start on June 9. Although the GDC postponement raises game makers to wonder if this game industry commercial event should continue, organizers say there is no such thing no change in event status, as E3 is moving forward.
Computex: One of the biggest laptops and PC exhibits of the year is slated to begin on June 2 in Taiwan. For now, the show should continue. The 2003 edition of Computex has been postponed to September due to the SARS outbreak of that year, so there is a precedent for this event postponed due to health concerns.
What about the Apple Apple rumor event of March?
Of course, this list does not include product launch events that have not been announced and may never be scheduled as companies assess the value of bringing together people lost in the same field amidst A health crisis.
Apple is rumored to be working on an iPhone SE successor with the iPhone 9, which is slated to debut at an event later this month. With the coronavirus epidemic already threatening to slow production of this phone, this event can be postponed – if it is even announced.
