<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"It is being reported that Google is upping their giveaway game this year by sending out thousands of Android based phones (Droids and Nexus Ones) to the coming attendees of its I/O conference.\r\n\r\nLast year Google did the same thing, giving away phones to conference participants at the event itself. This year, it is doing so before the start day, giving everyone time to play with the hardware before showing up. Google wants everyone versed in Android, making it plain what much of the event's focus will be on.\r\n\r\nOddly, Google will ship two different phone varieties, and you cannot request either one specifically. Everyone who gets a Droid and wanted a Nexus One (and the other way around), is going to be saddened indeed. Still, it's a free phone, roll with it. Who gets which phone? It depends on your registration location, of all things. Email from Google after the jump.\r\n\r\nThis year\u2019s Google I/O is less than 2 months away, and we\u2019re very excited that you and over 4,000 other developers will be joining us in San Francisco. During the 2-day conference, you\u2019ll have over 90 sessions to choose from and the opportunity to meet with developers from over 170 companies that will be demoing their apps and talking in-depth about their use of Google technologies in the Developer Sandbox.\r\n\r\nAs you might have guessed, Android will have a big presence at this year\u2019s event. To make sure you\u2019re equipped to make the most of your Android experience during Google I/O, we\u2019d like to mail you a Verizon Droid by Motorola before the event.\r\n\r\nBring your Android device to Google I/O\r\nInstead of having you spend time picking up and registering the device during the conference, we want you to be able to get started ASAP. Here are the different ways in which we\u2019re hoping you\u2019ll use the device you receive:\r\n\r\nGet to know the Android SDK\r\nUse the device to get started on your first (or next!) Android app using the latest SDK. You\u2019ll find a ton of helpful info atdeveloper.android.com, including the Developer\u2019s Guide. We hope you have new apps or working prototypes by the time of I/O. That way, you\u2019ll be able to get feedback on your app from other developers, including members of the Android team who\u2019ll be leading in-depth sessions and answering attendees\u2019 technical questions during Office Hours (the schedule will be published oncode.google.com/io in April).\r\n\r\nPut your device to work at I/O\r\nTo encourage active use of your device, we\u2019re amplifying cellular and wireless coverage inside Moscone West, and charging stations will be available for anyone to use. We hope you\u2019ll:\r\nGet I/O info on your device: Before May 19th, we\u2019ll send out details on how to download a conference app that we\u2019re building now. During I/O, you can use the app to instantly access I/O session details and more.\r\nDownload apps: Over 40 companies will be demoing the latest and greatest apps available in the Android Market. Check out their demos in the Developer Sandbox, download new apps, and take them for a test drive.\r\nParticipate in SCVNGR: We\u2019re collaborating with SCVNGR to produce a location-based mobile game for Google I/O that\u2019ll have you hunting for QR codes hidden throughout the events.\r\n\r\nTo receive your Android device:\r\nClick the form link below, read the terms and conditions of the offer and fill out the form with your preferred shipping address so we know where you\u2019d like to receive your device. All preferred shipping addresses must be submitted no later than April 18th.\r\nYou\u2019ll receive your device 2 to 4 weeks from the day you provide your shipping address.\r\n\r\nTo learn more about this giveaway for Google I/O, visit our FAQ page. If you have questions that aren\u2019t answered on the website, please send an email to googleio2010-gift@google.com.\r\n\r\nThanks for your support of Google\u2019s developer initiatives and for registering for Google I/O. We look forward to seeing you in May!\r\n\r\nSincerely,\r\nThe Google I/O Team"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://thenextweb.com/google/2010/04/05/google-to-give-every-io-a-free-phone/>