An internet service linking home computers and smartphones to cars, allowing users to connect with social networks and locate tourist areas, has been created by Microsoft and Toyota.
The internet service will start on May 30 in Japan and is described as an advanced version of Toyota’s existing internet service, Gazoo.com.
It will be based on Microsoft’s cloud computing platform called Windows Azure. Switching to Microsoft’s cloud computing will cut costs for operating the services, although Toyota plans to invest more money in new content for Gazoo.com.
Toyota reached an agreement with Microsoft in 2011 to work together on telematics, or network technology for cars.
Toyota looked at other cloud computing services before picking Microsoft for the latest project, said Hiroyuki Yamada, an executive at e-Toyota, which oversees such technology.
It is unclear whether the site will really lead to car sales, but Toyota will be able to tap into data on consumer behavior, as well as try to revive Japanese people’s fading interest in cars, he said.
Microsoft said this will be the first time cloud technology is being used for a major corporate site.
