Google I/O Returns As Virtual Event May 18-20

Google’s I/O developer event is returning this year after being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and like many other tech events that have taken place during the pandemic, it will be entirely virtual. The event will take place from May 18th–20th and will be free to attend, according to 9to5Google, which revealed the date after solving Google’s cryptic I/O puzzle.

“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,” the company wrote at the time.

Google now joins a number of companies continuing to hold virtual events in 2021. While an aggressive vaccine rollout has begun here in the States, there’s still plenty of questions and concerns surrounding the virus’s spread at large gatherings — even ones like I/O, which are traditionally held outdoors.

The website for Google I/O 2021 is now live, where you can register for the event. The conference will have both consumer and developer-focused keynotes, technical sessions, workshops, AMAs, meetups, and more, according to an FAQ. The full schedule will be released late this month.

…and we're back:) Join us May 18-20 for #GoogleIO live, online, and free for everyone. https://t.co/763eVjWpYE pic.twitter.com/Sk3tUnLme0

— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) April 7, 2021

Typically, Google uses I/O to show off significant updates to its products, new hardware (in 2019, the company revealed the Pixel 3A and the Nest Hub Max smart display), and occasionally, big initiatives like the AI-powered reservation service Google Duplex. It seems likely that Google will show off more of Android 12 during this year’s conference, but beyond that, we’ll have to wait to see what’s in store.

As restrictions on gatherings remain in place because of the pandemic, other tech companies have also announced virtual events for this year. Microsoft has revealed that its Build conference will happen from May 25th–27th, and Apple has announced that its Worldwide Developers Conference will take place from June 7th–11th.