Microsoft Build 2020 Goes Digital with Blazor WebAssembly Release
Microsoft transforms its annual Build conference into a free, 48-hour online event focused heavily on developer tools. Key highlights include the general availability of Blazor WebAssembly and the introduction of .NET MAUI.
Microsoft hosts the 10th edition of its annual Build conference as a completely free, 48-hour online event. The format shift reflects the current global pandemic and replaces the traditional three-day in-person gathering with parallel digital sessions. This year's event focuses heavily on developer-oriented content rather than balancing product announcements with other topics.
CEO Satya Nadella opens the conference by addressing the COVID-19 crisis and praising the technology sector's response. Following the keynote, Microsoft reveals several major updates across Azure, .NET, Windows, and Office 365. The schedule also includes development tutorials, expert Q&A sessions, and community connection meetings designed to link developers in specific geographic regions.
The most significant announcements center around the .NET ecosystem, particularly the general availability of ASP.NET Blazor WebAssembly. This release allows developers to build single-page web applications using C# instead of JavaScript directly in the browser. Additionally, Microsoft introduces .NET MAUI, continuing its push toward streamlined, cross-platform application development.