Oliver Haslam on March 13, 2020, 10:11 pm

Microsoft Cancels Build 2020 Conference Because Of Coronavirus Concerns, Is WWDC Next?

It seems like you can’t go near the internet right now without reading about coronavirus and another event that’s been canceled because of it. One of the biggest events to find itself on the chopping block in the last day or so is Microsoft’s annual developer conference, Build.

The event follows Facebook’s F8 and Google’s I/O conferences in being canned, with Apple’s WWDC not set to take place until June. It remains to be seen whether that actually happens, though.

Build was scheduled to take place from May 19 through May 21, 20209, which isn’t all that long before WWDC is likely to kick off, so will it?

It’s looking increasingly unlikely, especially as it becomes clear that nobody know show to get coronavirus under control. Whether it’s as big of a deal as the media is making out is an argument for another day, but with similar conferences being canceled left and right, can Apple really run WWDC without looking particularly bad?

It might not need to make that decision, though. Apple normally holds WWDC in San Jose, with Santa Clara County recently banning mass gatherings for almost a month, Apple simply might not be allowed to hold WWDC after all.

This order will take effect at 12:00 a.m. on March 11, 2020 and will remain in place for three weeks as more widespread testing becomes available and we are able to learn more about the spread of COVID-19. We are also announcing new, stronger guidance for the general public and for many specific groups designed to reduce the spread of the virus in our community.

As with coronavirus as a whole, we’re just going to have to wait and see. Remember to cross your fingers, too.

(Via: 9to5Mac)