Spring is upon us, which means the calendar is starting to fill with high-level tech events. And the latest addition? Microsoft today confirmed that its online-only Build developer conference will take place from 25 to 27 May, although there is still no word on the opening of registrations. (If last year is any indication, our money is “at the end of April”.)
“Microsoft Build is the place where developers, architects, start-ups and students learn, connect and code together, sharing their knowledge and developing their skills, while exploring new ways to innovate for tomorrow”, explains the company events page.
Unfortunately, Microsoft has yet to update its Build-specific webpage with information on this year’s priorities or schedule, but we’re almost certainly planning another very busy event. Last year, Microsoft pursued (among others) improved collaboration tools for its Office productivity suite of applications, an AI-driven supercomputer running on its Azure cloud platform, and new cloud tools designed specifically for healthcare professionals. .
Historically, spring and summer have been filled with big in-person events where application and software developers get their first glimpse of upcoming platform and strategy updates, attend workshops and in code reviews and usually mingle with their colleagues. As of last year, however, the global coronavirus pandemic has forced companies hosting these events to quickly rethink their approaches.
Some, like Microsoft and Apple, quickly turned to an online-only informational business, including full days of sessions, demos, and fireside chats. (For what it’s worth, Apple announced this week that its own Global Developer Conference will also be held as an online-only event. from June 7 to 11.) Meanwhile, Google has yet to confirm whether it plans to host its Google I / O developer conference this year – the company canceled the show entirely in 2020, but said last month that he was planning to host a version of his Google Cloud Next event in October.
Between an increase in COVID-19 vaccine production and the announcement of relaxed restrictions for vaccinated travelers, Build 2021 may well be the last purely virtual developer conference Microsoft will ever have to host. Hopefully the developers will resume their pilgrimages to Seattle next year, and who knows – maybe those tiny emotional support horses from Build 2018 will reappear as well.