I thought I’d write a short blog type post about the Big Android BBQ Europe which was just held in Amsterdam. I’d like to thank Aaron Kasten and Corry Robb from IDEAA for inviting me along and also Jorik the organiser who was local and on the ground at the event. Thanks for being so welcoming guys.
OK. The event was held in a big building outside the city centre called B. For me, the venue was perfect. Great transport links, vast space inside, side conference rooms, outside area for smoking / socialising and barbecuing. Coffee and softdrinks were all provided free of charge along with lunch on all the days. The BBQ it’s self was on the Thursday evening where the queues were long and the grub wasn’t great. Not bad, just not what Brits, Americans or Aussies would call a Barbe.
By the time I arrived, I’d just missed the opening keynote from Steve Kondik Cyanogen INC. Blame delays, kids and work commitments. Don’t you just hate when real life gets in the way sometimes. From conversations around the event, Steve stated CM13 WILL be available for all supported devices before Christmas. That should make a lot of users happy, I’m sure #soon means #reallysoon along with the Cyanogen SDK.
Talks were scheduled all day Thursday and Friday with 3 separate areas allocated. I had the pleasure of sitting in and learning lots of things I didn’t know, along with stuff that I’ll never understand in this lifetime. I’m not a developer, I’m just a guy who has used technology for many years on many form factors. Sitting listening, I looked around and noticed most of the audience were a lot younger than myself and really taking in the advice given. (I’m in my mid 30’s so I’m not that old yet.) These guys are the future of building and publishing great applications. A few speakers asked, “Who here, has released an app?” The amount of hands that went up was fantastic. Lots were taking notes, asking great questions and everyone was fully engrossed whilst I watched and listened closely.
I didn’t have a chance to test the HTC VIVE whilst I was there, you had to book early in the morning and places were tight. I did enjoy watching testers become fully transformed into their own world where everything happening outside was irrelevant. VR done properly, is the future.
You had to see this giant Marshmallow artwork. It took roughly 20 people to build over a few hours. Those are real mallows and boy did that smell delicious. There’s pictures floating around social streams that show a banana for scale purposes but I’ll let you find those yourself.
I’m sure everyone came home from the event having learned and laughed. There was plenty of Heineken available, plenty of great laughs around the fire pit and plenty of networking opportunities for a site owner like me. I’m genuinely excited for Amsterdam 2016 and also a UK event that may be happening in March, more on that later.
Congratulations to Jorik and IDEAA for making an awesome event.