Google I/O 2012 – Keynote Day 1

Video footage from Day 1 keynote at Google I/O 2012

Learn the tech world’s latest web, mobile and social breakthroughs and meet the developers who are turning them into tomorrow’s startups. Keep yourself and your team driving innovation at Google I/O, which returns to San Francisco’s Moscone Center from June 27th – 29th, 2012.

General event questions
Who can attend Google I/O?
We recommend that web, mobile, and enterprise developers building applications in the cloud with Google and open web technologies attend Google I/O. Products and technologies to be featured at I/O include App Engine, Android, Google+, Google Chrome, HTML5, AJAX, Maps and Data APIs, Google TV, and more.
What are the event dates?
June 27–29, 2012.
Where is the event taking place?
The three day Google I/O event will take place in San Francisco, CA at the Moscone West Convention Center.
Will the sessions or any part of Google I/O be streamed live via the Internet?
We will be streaming the Google I/O keynote and many of the sessions. We will also be recording all of the sessions and making them available online. Please check back after the event to view the recorded sessions or follow us on the Google Developers Google+ page where we will announce when recordings are available.
How many people are anticipated to be in attendance?
We anticipate around 5,500 people to attend this year’s Google I/O.
What time does the event start and end each day?
The hours of the event are as follows:

June 27 from 9:00 am–5:15 pm,
with the After Hours evening event
from 6:30 pm–10:30 pm
June 28 from 8:30 am–5:45 pm
June 29 9:00 am–5:00 pm
How is session scheduling being handled? Do I need to register to attend specific sessions?
Sessions are open and no pre-scheduling is necessary. They are on a first-come, first-serve basis at the event. We will be publishing new sessions on the Sessions page (coming soon) regularly, so please check back for the latest updates to help plan your schedule.
Are attendees able to bring guests?
Attendees are not permitted to bring guests to Google I/O. If you have someone traveling with you, they will need to register themselves and purchase an attendee pass.
Is there a minimum age to attend Google I/O? Can I bring children to the event?
Attendees must be at least 16 years of age to attend I/O. Attendees who are under 18 must provide a signed parental consent form in advance or at on-site registration. To request a parental consent form, please email googleio2012@google.com.
What is the nearest airport recommended for attendees to fly into?
SFO, the San Francisco International Airport, is closest to the Moscone Convention Center and surrounding hotels.
How long does it take to get to/from the airport, and how much does it cost?
Travel time to/from SFO Airport typically takes about 30-40 minutes depending on traffic. A cab will run about $45.
Is Moscone accessible by public transportation?
Yes. Moscone is accessible via BART, MUNI Metro, and Caltrain.
Will there be shuttle service to and from the airport and the hotels or convention center?
No, Google will not be providing shuttle service to and from the airport or hotels. However, Super Shuttle International is offering a discount to all Google I/O attendees. Reservations must be booked in advance by accessing the following link:

http://www.supershuttle.com/default.aspx?GC=G5D9Z or
by calling 800 BLUE-VAN (258-3826)
The discount code for Google I/O is: G66Z7

One-way transfers on 9-seat passenger vans to downtown
San Francisco are:

From SFO $17-$18
From SJC $75
From OAK $27
Other airport shuttle options include:

American Airporter Shuttle Inc +1-415-202-0733
Airport Express SF +1-415-775-5121
Lorrie’s Airport Service +1-415-334-9000
For more information on ground access transportation to and from SFO, visit http://www.flysfo.com/web/page/tofrom/transp-serv/.

What is the attire for the event?
Come as you are. If you’re still unsure, feel free to take a look at photos from I/O 2011.

Will I receive additional information regarding the event?
We’ll be regularly updating developers.google.com/events/io with the latest sessions, speakers, and other content. We recommend checking back from time to time for the most updated information as well as following us at our Google Developers Google+ page where we’ll be posting the latest Google I/O updates. In addition, we’ll email all registered attendees with the latest information one week before Google I/O.
Are there any other events or meetups happening in the days before I/O?
For any events and meetups set up by developers attending Google I/O or by Google, we will help spread the word at our Google Developers Google+ page. We encourage you to follow our posts to stay tuned to the latest Google I/O updates.

Are there any special evening events?
Once the sessions conclude on June 27th, we will be hosting an After Hours evening party from 6:30 pm–10:30 pm. Please join us for food, drinks, music, video games, and more.

Will you be bringing Google I/O to my area?
Currently we do not have plans to bring Google I/O to cities other than San Francisco, CA. However, there are many developer events that occur around the world. These events are held either by Google or local developer community groups. Check our Developer Events Calendar to see if there are any in your area. You can also view the main sessions online which will be streamed live through I/O Live. All sessions will also be recorded and available on the site within 24 hours.

What accommodations are provided for Deaf or hard of hearing attendees?
We’ll be providing live realtime transcription (CART) for the keynote and some of our breakout sessions. Caption text displayed on a large plasma screen at the front of the room will be accessible to all attendees. We’ll also use the text to provide captions for YouTube videos of the sessions, which will be posted after the event. If you have other specific needs, please let us know in your registration.

Will you be providing ASL interpreters?
We’ll be happy to provide an interpreter to accompany you in the sessions at I/O. We’ll do our best to find a technical translator that is familiar with the domain, but most likely will not be able to have the interpreter meet with speakers beforehand. Please email us at googleio2012@google.com if you need an ASL interpreter at Google I/O.

Is Moscone West handicap-accessible?
Definitely. Moscone West is fully ADA certified.

Registration questions
How much does it cost to attend the event?
Registration fees are $900 USD. There is no early bird pricing this year. The Academia (students, professors, faculty/staff) registration fee is $300 USD. All tickets are sold in advance and no tickets will be available on-site.

What does my registration include?
Registration to Google I/O includes three full days of sessions, product demos, breakfast, lunch, snacks, admission to the After Hours reception, and attendance at the Keynote. Attendees also have discounted room rates at several nearby hotels.

Are there any discounts available?
We’ve tried to set the conference fee at a reasonable level where the event is accessible to individuals and still a great value for attendees. We are not offering additional discounts.

Is there a student discount?
We do offer a limited number of tickets at a discounted rate of $300 for Academia (students, professors, faculty/staff). We will require a current school ID or other proof that you’re qualified to receive this special rate when you check in at the conference. Without qualifying proof, you won’t be admitted to the conference and no refund will be issued. Tickets purchased at regular price cannot later be converted to academic price.

What forms of payment are accepted for registration?
Registration payments may only be made using Google Wallet through the online registration form. We will no longer be accepting payments without a Google Wallet account.

How can I obtain a receipt for my registration?
We will email you a receipt and registration confirmation. You can also log in to your Google Wallet account to access and print a record of your payment.

Can I send a colleague or friend in my place?
All payments are non-refundable. To request a transfer please send an email to googleio2012@google.com with “Transfer Request” in the title. You will receive instructions on the transfer process, but it will require the new attendee to register using their Google+ account. If you have an Academic ticket, those can only be used by individuals with credentials showing they are a current student, staff, or faculty at an academic institution, so make sure your replacement has those credentials or they will not be allowed to attend the event.

I have registered and can no longer attend the event. Is it possible to cancel my registration and obtain a refund?
The tickets are meant for the original purchaser and all payments are non-refundable. As a reminder, the terms of Google I/O tickets prohibit the resale of Google I/O tickets, which can render the ticket null and void without any responsibility to Google.

We do recognize there are instances where transfers of a ticket are required but remember that transfers are at Google’s sole discretion and Google reserves the right to reject any transfer requests. To request a transfer, send an email to googleio2012@google.com with “Transfer Request” in the title. Please include the name and email address you used to register along with your confirmation number and a brief description of why you are requesting a transfer. In addition include the name and email address of the person who will register in your place.

If you have an Academic ticket, those can only be used by people with credentials showing they are a current student, staff, or faculty at an academic institution, so make sure your replacement has those credentials or they will not be allowed to attend the event. We will not allow those with academic tickets and no credentials to enter the conference. We will also not allow those with standard tickets to exchange them for academic tickets in order to obtain a partial refund.

Is there a one day pass?
We will not be offering single day passes to Google I/O.

I’ve lost my password and/or confirmation number. How can I obtain this information?
To see the information you’ve registered with, make sure you’re logged in to your Google+ account and return to the Google I/O registration page. If you’ve misplaced your confirmation, please contact googleio2012@google.com.

I am not a US resident. Do I need a visa to travel to San Francisco, CA for the conference?
It’s best to check with your local government to confirm the required documents and arrangements needed for your travel to the US.

I’m traveling from outside the US. Where can I get a visa letter regarding my I/O attendance?
You can receive a visa letter by email or fax by sending a request to googleio2012@google.com.

Are hotel accommodations included in the registration fee?
Hotel accommodations are not included in the registration fee. However, we have discounted rates contracted with several hotels near the Moscone West Convention Center. Please visit the Travel page for more details.

How do I book my hotel reservation?
Please contact the hotel of your choice directly and don’t forget to reference “Google I/O 2012” to receive the best available rate. Please visit the Travel page for more details.

What are the hours for on-site check-in?
On-site check-in will open the day before the event on June 26 from 2:00 pm–7:00 pm. Once the event begins on June 27, check-in will be open from 7:00 am–10:00 pm and on June 28 from 7:00 am–4:00 pm. Please note that these times only apply to people who are registered to attend Google I/O.

When will I receive my name badge?
All badges and conference materials will be made available on-site at registration check-in.

Can I get into the event without my name badge?
Attendees will not be permitted to enter conference areas without a name badge. We will not be able to reprint lost badges so please make sure to keep your badge with you at all times.

I am a member of the press. Do you offer free press passes?
We will be offering a limited number of press passes to qualified members of the media. Please email googleiopress@google.com for more information.