(http://media.il.edmunds-media.com/toyota/ns/toyota_bdg_ns_40711_196.jpg) Toyota and Microsoft on Wednesday announced a strategic partnership aimed at making automobiles "the ultimate mobile device." The two said they will develop and deploy telematics applications on the Windows Azure platform, starting with Toyota's electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2012. Toyota says cars will play a big part in "smart centers," the onboard systems "capable of better managing overall energy consumption of cars and homes."
Source: Toyota and Microsoft Hook Up To Make Automobiles the "Ultimate Mobile Device" (http://www.insideline.com:80/toyota/toyota-and-microsoft-hook-up-to-make-automobiles-the-ultimate-mobile-device.html)