Microsoft announced that the Build 2020 tech conference has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Build 2020 is supposed to take place May 19 to May 20 in Seattle. Microsoft reportedly canceled the annual in-person developer conference for a digital event instead.
Microsoft has yet to update its Build 2020 conference webpage about the cancellation. As reported on different publications, Microsoft stated that it is prioritizing the safety of the people first.
The company also released a webpage where the community can get information on how to process refunds for all of the events canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“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,” said a Microsoft spokesperson.
The Build 2020 conference is a platform where developer-specific updates and information are presented by Microsoft rather than new products.
In 2019, Microsoft launched the new Edge browser based on Chromium. While there was no information about the potential announcements for the conference this year, Microsoft is expected to share details about the upcoming launch of Windows 10X and its dual-screen devices later this year.
Although there are no other announcements yet, it is believed that Microsoft could hold its announcements and developer sessions through online platforms like what other companies did.
Microsoft Build 2020 is one of many events in the tech industry that have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Google has canceled its I/O developer conference while the Electronic Software Association canceled the E3 2020 gaming expo.
