Back in March, Microsoft confirmed that its Build 2020 developer conference would not go on in Seattle as it had planned. It"s going to be a virtual event instead, as all Microsoft events will be until mid-2021. Today, it"s opening up registrations for the virtual conference.
As expected, it"s a free event. If you already paid the $2,395 for a ticket to the in-person event, you should have already been automatically refunded.
Being that Build 2020 is in a virtual format, things are going to be done a bit differently. Important keynotes will be broadcast multiple times to hit different time zones around the world. There will still be breakout sessions and such, and as you"d get from the in-person event, there will be Q&A and interactive bits.
Once you register for the virtual event, you can start using the MSFT Events app, although the session schedule isn"t live just yet. Once it is, you can build your personal agenda, add sessions to your calendar, give feedback on sessions, and more.
While the keynotes my be shorter and the news might be slightly more sparse, don"t forget that Build 2021 is going to be all-digital as well. Microsoft will likely look at what went well, what didn"t, and what kind of feedback attendees have to offer from this year"s event before planning the next one.
Update: Registration is live now.