Contents:

Free Python Course ➞ Mini-course for beginners and experienced coders. 4 cool projects in the portfolio, live communication with the speaker. Click and find out what you can learn in the course.
Learn more
Kirill Rozov is a well-known figure in his field, possessing significant experience and professional achievements. His work encompasses many aspects, including innovative approaches and strategic thinking. Kirill actively shares his knowledge, making him a valuable member of professional communities. His contribution to the development of the industry cannot be overstated, and he continues to inspire others by his example.
An expert in his field, he has deep knowledge and experience that help him effectively solve problems and achieve his goals. Through continuous training and practice, he stays abreast of the latest trends and technologies. His professional reputation is built on successful projects and positive client reviews. He actively shares his knowledge through articles, seminars, and consultations, which helps increase awareness and trust in his expertise. By contacting such a specialist, you can be assured of a high-quality approach and the achievement of the desired results.
Tech PR Manager at Surf, as well as a Google Developer Expert for Android and Kotlin. I am the author and creator of the Android Broadcast project.
Links play an important role on the internet, providing connections between web pages and improving user navigation. Today, there are several types of links: internal links, which lead to other pages on the same website, and external links, which point to resources located on other domains. Link optimization is an important aspect of SEO, as the correct use of anchor text and link structure can improve a website's visibility in search engines.
For effective promotion, it is important to regularly check and update links to avoid broken and inactive URLs. This not only improves user experience but also impacts website ranking. It is also worth considering that links from authoritative sources can significantly increase trust in your website and strengthen its position in search results.
Using links in content helps not only with SEO but also in creating a high-quality information space for users, promoting their engagement and retention on the site.
Before the pandemic, the community actively organized events within Google Developer Groups, as well as held MOSDROID and Summer Droid Meetups, which attracted up to 1,000 participants. Regular meetups in various cities and conferences like Hot Mobile facilitated the exchange of experiences and the development of professional networks. However, in early 2020, community life underwent significant changes, impacting the format of events and participant interactions.
My last talk was on February 18th, just before the pandemic hit. Upon returning from the conference, I learned that just a week later, the borders had closed, and all planned trips were at risk of cancellation.
What Problems Has COVID Brought?
The pandemic and the restrictions imposed have had a significant impact on the Android community, causing numerous problems. New app development has slowed due to a lack of resources and communication difficulties. Many developers have faced financial difficulties, which has also impacted the quality and quantity of content they produce. The suspension of events and conferences has deprived the community of opportunities to share experiences and new ideas. At the same time, the increased number of Android device users has created demand for new apps and improvements to existing ones, opening up new opportunities for developers. It's important to adapt to change and find ways to thrive in a more challenging environment.
Familiar networking formats have disappeared. Participants eagerly anticipate the end of the pandemic, the lifting of restrictions, and a return to normal life. However, they are interested not only in presentations and reports but also in opportunities for professional networking and networking. It is unclear whether meetings will return in their previous formats and how many organizers will remain in the market after the crisis. It is important to adapt to the new conditions and seek alternative ways of interaction to maintain professional connections and develop careers in a changed world.
The closure of event venues has been a serious blow to the industry. One of the first to suffer from the restrictions was the large Belarusian venue Space, which ceased operations in March 2020. The duration of the pandemic remains uncertain, raising concerns for the future of other event organizers. In Russia, despite the difficulties, one of the few venues that continues to operate is JUG.ru. Meanwhile, AppsConf is no longer taking place, highlighting the complexities of the event organization landscape.
By the end of the pandemic, events will be organized primarily by companies. I have my doubts about such events, as they are often aimed at satisfying business interests. Organizers invest money and resources, but ultimately gain access to valuable data, find new employees, and enhance their reputation. Such conferences are known to actively recruit developers, which calls into question the true purpose of such events.
Activity in city chats has noticeably decreased. Previously, participants actively communicated in local chats, such as those in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Minsk. However, during the pandemic, these communities partially disintegrated, as their functioning was largely dependent on live events. We weren't able to move all activities online, which led to a decrease in user engagement.
Even a pandemic has its silver lining
The pandemic has dramatically changed our community, providing new opportunities and improving interactions between its members. We have become more united, learned to value each other's support, and adapted to new conditions. These changes have opened the door to innovative approaches to communication and collaboration, which in turn has contributed to the development and strengthening of our connections. We can now more easily share ideas and resources, making our community more resilient and dynamic in a rapidly changing world.
Remote Work. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many were skeptical about the idea of working from home. However, most companies have now adapted to the new conditions and transitioned their employees to remote work, which has become the norm in business. The transition to remote work has opened up new opportunities for increased productivity and flexibility, which has positively impacted many aspects of work.
The accessibility of online events has significantly improved the situation in the IT community. Previously, conferences were held primarily in large cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, leaving much of Russia out of the spotlight. Not everyone has the opportunity or the means to travel from the Far East to the capital for a three-day conference, and many companies don't cover such expenses for their employees. Online events offer more affordable prices and a variety of formats, allowing people from all over the country to participate. This not only broadens the horizons of professionals but also facilitates the exchange of experience and knowledge, which in turn contributes to the growth and development of the IT industry as a whole.
Equality of participants at events. Remember the latest Apple presentation? Previously, it was just spectacular videos, but now it's an entire online show, accessible to everyone. Participants are provided with the same passes, eliminating inequality and making events more inclusive. This approach allows everyone to have an equal opportunity to participate and interact with the content, significantly enhancing the audience experience and engagement.
New conference formats are becoming increasingly popular. The Android community has enthusiastically embraced Podlodka Crew conferences. This format has proven successful for both participants and speakers. One of the main advantages is that speakers no longer need to spend two to three months preparing their presentations. At Podlodka Crew, a week of preparation is enough, and the ability to present in a comfortable setting, such as a kitchen, makes the process not only easier but also more engaging.
Tickets to the Podlodka Crew conference cost around four thousand rubles for 10 days and 20 talks, making them accessible to a wide audience. This is in contrast to Mobius, where a similar number of talks would cost significantly more. While Mobius offers unique materials, most speakers later share their talks publicly. Large conferences like Mobius are valued for the opportunity to connect and network, making the offline format especially important for attendees.
The growth of themed chats in messengers like Telegram is becoming a noticeable trend. For example, the largest Telegram chat about Android development, Android Developers, already has over nine thousand members. My Telegram channel, Android Broadcast, has reached eight thousand subscribers, and the related chat, Android Broadcast Talks, has about 1,600 members. I try to closely monitor the activity in these groups, but I don't plan to actively develop and increase the number of subscribers. This is because an increase in the number of participants will complicate the moderation process. Despite this, new members continue to actively join, indicating growing interest in Android development.
I certainly support the idea of returning in-person meetups and events. However, the online format will not disappear, but will continue to evolve. It is important to take full advantage of online interaction to organize events as effectively as possible and maintain connections with the audience.
It is clear that in-person meetups and events are of great importance, and I hope to see them return. However, the online format won't disappear; it will continue to evolve. It's important to leverage all the benefits the online format offers. This offers an opportunity to reach a wider audience, reduce organizational costs, and make events more accessible to participants. An effective combination of offline and online formats will create a unique experience for all participants.
How to Get the Most Out of Participating in the Community
The Android community is full of helpful people. However, it's important to remember that before asking a question, it's a good idea to do your own research online. Questions that can be answered in the first few search results are especially frustrating. So, if you have a question that seems simple, try searching online first. This will not only save time but also help you get more accurate answers. Remember, researching on your own demonstrates your desire to learn and grow in Android development.
To get the most out of participating in the community, it's important to develop your personal brand. Publish and share articles, actively participate in discussions, and give presentations. Consider creating a podcast or Telegram and YouTube channels. For example, I run a YouTube channel where I share free, unlimited videos about Android development. This engages the community and creates an active base of like-minded individuals. By developing a personal brand, you not only increase your visibility but also strengthen your professional connections, which in turn opens up new opportunities for career advancement and knowledge sharing.
The best way to start a podcast is to focus on what you do best. If your goal is to create a podcast with high-quality audio, invest $50-70 in a good microphone. This is less risky than spending several hundred dollars on a video camera for a YouTube channel. Shooting videos on a mobile phone is quite sufficient at the beginning. Keep it simple and don't get hung up on the format. It's important to remember that listeners value meaningful and engaging content more than high image quality.
Your endeavors can receive significant support at work, so I highly recommend contacting a DevRel specialist. At Surf, we have a dedicated DevRel department that helps with public projects, personal brand development, and organizing various events. DevRel is currently becoming increasingly popular among many companies. It seems that Russian businesses have finally realized its importance and potential for growth and development.
Reworked text:
Study additional materials:
- Who is a mobile developer and how to become one
- Epic AI failures: extortion, 🙅 dollhouses, unparliamentary expressions
- How to create a mobile application using Xamarin

