I wish you'd realize how damaging that is to the Android / Google ecosystem. Small-time developers who are working really, really hard to build the most amazing products and services possible in the modern world are being intentionally shut out of developer events by people like you who want "free stuff". Please don't do that next time.
If you've been to an I/O before you realize there isn't a whole lot of advantage to being there in person vs. watching live via the free streams they offer. It isn't like WWDC where there is an abundance of google presence for you to talk your issues over with. It is more of a dog and pony show where they give out free shit. You are assuming he isn't also a developer. Please don't do that next time.
> If you've been to an I/O before you realize there isn't a whole lot of advantage to being there in person vs. watching live via the free streams they offer
I've never been, that's true - but it's not for a lack of trying. I do disagree that there's not a whole lot of advantage to being there in person; I can't believe that would be true. I built a Top 30 weather app and I've never met a single Android developer in my life; I am certain, 100% certain, that actually meeting fellow developers would be immensely helpful.
> You are assuming he isn't also a developer. Please don't do that next time.
I think it's a fair assumption that the person isn't a developer; it's tough to imagine a developer would have no interest in going to any of the talks but only want to hold new tech devices. You're assuming the poster is male and not female. Please don't do that next time.
Yeah, I wonder what percentage of attendees are actually developers working on Android or API-related projects. If it's a low percentage, that would actually kill a lot of my enthusiasm to go.