Microsoft Build 2020 to be online-only as coronavirus crisis deepens
Microsoft is the latest company to announce big changes to its schedule for as a result of the coronavirus. The Build developer conference, due to take place in May, will now be a virtual-only event.
In a statement toThe Verge, the company added:
“The safety of our community is a top priority. In light of the health safety recommendations for Washington State, we will deliver our annual Microsoft Build event for developers as a digital event, in lieu of an in-person event. We look forward to bringing together our ecosystem of developers in this new virtual format to learn, connect and code together. Stay tuned for more details to come.”
While the announcements on 19-21 May will still take place in Seattle, no members of public will be allowed to attend the Washington State Convention Centre. The event will instead be livestreamed around the world via Microsoft’s official channels.
It’s the first time the event will not welcome visitors since its inception in 2011.
This announcement was a widely expected move, becoming the latest in a long line of tech conferences to be affected bythecoronavirus outbreak.The illness it causes, known as COVID-19, has spread to well over 100 countries, leading the World Health Organization to declare it a global pandemic.
The most high profile cancellation has been Mobile World Congress (MWC), while fellow tech giants Google and Facebook have been forced to move events online.
Build is an event primarily focused on developers, but Microsoft hasn’t shied away from announcing new hardware there in the past. TheSurface Book 3andSurface Go 2were slated for a Spring 2020 launch, with some speculating that Microsoft might use Build to launch these devices.
While that still may be possible,Microsoft indicatedits Surface line was one of the most profoundly affected by the coronavirus outbreak, and the situation has only worsened since then.
Author: Anyron Copeman, Mobile Editor, Tech Advisor
Anyron is Mobile Editor at Tech Advisor, where he’s been a mainstay of the editorial team since 2019. In his current role, Anyron is responsible for all smartphone, tablet and mobile network coverage on the site. A BA Journalism graduate, he has experience with a wide range of consumer tech products and services, including smartphones, tablets, foldables, wearables and more.
