While little is known about the Google Event App, Google has published a new mobile events application on Google Play called “Interactive Events.” Here’s what we can tell you:
1. Google appears to have accidentally released the unfinished app and a true release date is yet to be determined.
2. Access to event information appears to use QR codes and confirmation codes for user identification.
3. Sync with Google Calendar will be an option.
4. Standard features like agenda, location, speakers, videos and notes are present.
So, is Google poised to take down all the Mom and Pop event app suppliers on the market today? Not so fast. One of the key elements that has made Event App suppliers so successful in our industry is the customer service. Most successful event technology companies either started as event planners or have gone to great pains to learn everything there is to know about the industry. They have account executives who know all about your event and can partner with you to strategically reach your goals. That includes customizing your app as well. It’s hard to believe that any event planner with an established relationship with their event app provider will jump ship to google, and risk losing that personalized service.
The events industry has event apps that are either made by companies like ourselves, fully integrated into companion software like registration and speaker management, or event apps that have partnered with suppliers who provide registration and speaker management. This isn’t to say that Google wont also maintain similar partnerships in the future, however, it’s more likely that it will run in a similar manner to Eventbrite, where you input the information yourself, a less than desirable solution for a busy event planner.
Lastly, it is still unknown if Google plans to make this available in the future for events not organized by Google. A new update to the Google Play page states “The Google Events App will allow guests, attending events run by Google, to interact with speakers on stage, take notes, participate in Q&A, connect to social media, and request further follow up information. The app is not available at events not organized by Google.” We look forward to hearing more about Google’s long term development plans.
Although this may never actually be available to event planners, what are your thoughts on using an event app developed by a goliath like Google? Could it be an event app company killer?
Follow us on twitter for more articles like this posted every week!
