Ford researchers this week presented a conceptual case of how the Google Prediction API could alter the performance of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle at the 2011 Google I/O developer conference.

According to Ford's press release, it's been testing the Google API to convert information such as historical driving data – where a driver has traveled and at what time of day for example – into useful real-time predictions, such as where a driver is headed at the time of departure.

The automaker also released a video, above, to educate consumers who may be confused about the alphabet soup of terms (EV, BEV, HEV, PHEV) describing electric vehicles.

Google's Music Beta service was the big news from the Android team at the Google I/O developers conference today.

The good news: it's live. The bad: It's accepting a limited number of requests to check it out — but only in the US.Continue reading...

Microsoft and Toyota today announced a partnership to build a global platform for Toyota's next-generation telematics services using the Windows Azure platform.Continue reading...

Amazon has some "big news" — a cloud computing-based virtual "locker" to give people access to their digital media on any computer and any Android phone. The pitch to customers: "Buy anywhere, play anywhere and keep all your music in one place." Amazon is now in the streaming music business.Continue reading...

While the above headline might look nonsensical to some, it is rich with meaning for the technology and gaming world. Microsoft's "To the Cloud" campaign, promoted of late in TV and online ads, is being featured within the world of GodFinger All-Stars, a mobile game played on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. The deal makes Windows the first brand to find its way into any game made by ngmoco, a leading developer of mobile games.Continue reading...

How hot is cloud computing, which enables users to access data, software and services over the Web and corporate networks?

Check out Microsoft's new "I have cloud power" campaign above, which promotes microsoft.com/cloud and "the most comprehensive solutions for the crowd — on earth. From Microsoft." Its Windows 7 OS marketing extends the cloud power messaging in a new spot featuring a Toshiba notebook, a call to action to check out windows.com/cloud and the refrain, "To the cloud!" (watch it after the jump).

Dell, the world's #2 PC-maker, also just announced it's purchasing cloud computing startup, Boomi, for an undisclosed sum. As for who will own (or brand) "the cloud," we can't help but think of Joni Mitchell's "It's clouds illusions I recall..."Continue reading...

Microsoft scored a rare victory over Apple, basking in strong sales and positive reviews for its new Windows 7 operating system for PCs. But a new battle will pit not only old brand against new, but today's technology against tomorrow's.

Microsoft now has to worry about the rise of cloud computing, a wave Google intends to ride to the fullest, with its upcoming Chrome operating system.

The October 22 introduction of Windows 7 has been an unqualified success, says Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer. The company claims to have sold twice as many copies of Windows 7 as any previous operating system thus far. Indeed, Windows 7 has met with almost universal acceptance, especially after its predecessor, the disastrous Vista operating system, was fraught with technical problems.Continue reading...