Microsoft allies Ford and Toyota to collaborate on technology standards

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A new partnership announced between Ford and Toyota this morning is attracting lots of attention, primarily focused on the companies’ plans to collaborate on a new hybrid-electric system for light trucks and SUVs. But also notable is the news that they plan to “collaborate on development of next-generation standards for in-car telematics and Internet-based services.” That’s… Read More…

Follow-up: What Microsoft and Toyota are actually doing, and how it’s different

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The news today that Microsoft and Toyota are working on a cloud computing system for cars — described by the companies as a global platform for next-generation telematics applications — is the type of announcement that’s a little tough to grasp on the surface, in terms of the real significance. So it actually helped today… Read More…

Microsoft, Toyota join forces on cloud computing for cars

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Microsoft and Toyota have entered a new strategic partnership to build a next-gen information and telecommunications platform for Toyota’s vehicles based on the Redmond company’s Windows Azure cloud computing system. The companies say they will participate in an investment of 1 billion yen (about $12 million) in Toyota Media Service Co., a Toyota subsidiary focused… Read More…

Microsoft + Toyota: Cars or the cloud … or both?

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Microsoft and Toyota will be announcing a “new collaboration between the companies” on Wednesday afternoon, and the involvement of CEOs Steve Ballmer and Akio Toyoda means it’s probably something noteworthy. The scheduling of the news conference is generating speculation that Toyota will be adopting Microsoft’s automotive technology platform. Microsoft already powers the in-car information and… Read More…