Spring is upon us, which means the calendar is starting to fill up with high-profile technology opportunities. And the latest addition? Microsoft today confirmed that its online-only Build Developer Conference will take place between May 25 and May 27, although there is still no word on when the registration will open. (If there is an indication last year, our money is at ‘end of April’.)
“Microsoft Build is the place where developers, architects, startups, and students learn, connect, and code together, share knowledge, and expand their skills while exploring new ways to innovate for tomorrow,” the company’s events page explains.
Unfortunately, Microsoft has not yet updated its Build-specific website with information on this year’s priorities or schedule, but we’m almost certainly looking forward to another packed event. Last year, Microsoft continued to improve enhanced collaboration tools for its range of Office productivity programs, an AI-focused supercomputer used on its Azure cloud platform, and new cloud tools specifically designed for healthcare professionals.
Historically, spring and summer have been packed with great, personalized events where app and software developers get their first look at upcoming platform and strategy updates, attend workshops and code reviews, and usually mingle with their colleagues. However, as of last year, the global pandemic in the coronavirus has forced companies hosting these events to quickly reconsider their approaches.
Some, like Microsoft and Apple, have quickly turned to informative online matters that include all-day sessions, demos, and chats. (For what it’s worth, Apple announced this week that its own global developer conference will also continue as an online event from June 7-11.) Meanwhile, Google has not yet confirmed whether it intends to launch its Google I / O developer to set up. the conference completely this year – the company completely canceled the show in 2020, but said last month that it plans to host a version of its annual Google Cloud Next event in October.
Between the increase in the production of COVID-19 vaccines and the news of relaxed restrictions for vaccinated travelers, Build 2021 is quite possibly the last purely virtual developer conference that Microsoft will ever have to hold. With any luck, devs will resume their pilgrimages to Seattle next year, and who knows – maybe the little emotional support horses of Build 2018 will reappear as well.