Google I/O 2020 registrations now open despite coronavirus

Despite the cancellation of MWC 2020 and Facebook’s global marketing conference due to COVID-19 concerns, Google I/O 2020 is still going ahead as scheduled. The search giant has just opened registration for the annual developer conference that’s taking place on 12-14 May 2020 at Mountain View, California.

To participate, you’ll need to submit an application which will be selected through a lucky draw process. Applications will be closed on 25th February at 5PM PST and if you’re selected, you’ll be informed by email on the next day.

A general admission ticket is going for USD 1,150 (about RM4,819) while an academic ticket is much cheaper at USD 375 (about RM1,571). You’ll need to be a full-time student, professor, faculty or staff member of a high-school or college to be eligible for the academic pass.

You also must provide your payment details during the registration, however, your card will only be charged if your application is successful.

With the ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the Google I/O FAQ does state that anyone is welcome to enter the ticket drawing but warned that current and future mandated travel restrictions may make it impossible for participants to join the event.

They urge those intending to attend to consult their respective governments on the coronavirus and travel restrictions. If a participant couldn’t attend the event, Google is allowing participants to cancel their registration up to 15th April 2020 without incurring a penalty.

Google is expected to provide more details about Android 11 at the upcoming I/O event. Some of the new expected features include a better UI that caters for devices with punch-hole display and curved screen designs as well as chat bubbles interface on a system level. The new Android version is also expected to offer better privacy features including one-time permission controls.

If you’re interested, you can register for Google I/O 2020 here.

[ SOURCE 2 ]