After Nearly 20 Years, Intel Calls It Quits On Its Annual Developer Forum

A website landing page which once previewed an upcoming Intel Developer Forum for fall 2017 has just been replaced with a much simpler one bearing a grim message. Seemingly out of nowhere, Intel has decided to cancel all of its Intel Developer Forum – not just one event, but all of them.

IDF was the de facto event for developers using Intel technologies to congregate, and also for Intel to reveal its forthcoming technologies and products. We first attended IDF in 2007, where the legendary Skulltrail platform was debuted, and have since considered it to be one of the best industry events to take place each year. Some conferences are “fun”, like PAX, but IDF was different – you felt smarter after leaving.

To say there’s a lack of fanfare about this cancellation is an understatement. In its message (seen above), Intel says that it’s evolved its event portfolio, and clearly, that evolution has rendered IDF unimportant. It’s interesting that this move comes the same year that Intel’s CEO didn’t take the stage for the opening keynote at CES, as has been the case in recent years.

If you needed proof that the industry is changing, and somehow the ridiculous growth of YouTube, IoT, and mobile wasn’t enough, Intel’s move here should be added to the list.

When we first attended IDF a decade ago, it bled hardware information. Intel couldn’t wait to share with press and analysts what it was working on, and it became somewhat of a tradition to go each year, chatting to the usual suspects at the company, and getting to check out what’s coming. The show changed over the years, but it still proved worthwhile for many to attend, including us.

It’s disappointing, to say the least, that the show is having its plug pulled. It was great while it lasted, though!