Microsoft moves Hohm to Windows Embedded unit; eyes vehicles, appliances

Microsoft on Monday said that it was moving its online energy monitoring product Hohm into the company's Windows Embedded unit.

Normally we wouldn't cover such trivial internal changes, but the shift hints at Microsoft's strategy for Hohm moving forward.

First, a primer: Hohm is a service that provides an energy score for more than 60 million homes in the U.S. It offers homeowners tools to track home energy usage information and recommendations to help change behavior. (Interested in more? Read our previous coverage here.)

Meanwhile, the Windows Embedded unit handles software development for a platform found in connected industrial controls, appliances and most recently, vehicles.

Yep, that's right -- by merging Hohm into its Windows Embedded business, Microsoft is lowering the hurdles for its cloud-based energy management software to be integrated into smart appliances and cars for the commercial, industrial and consumer sectors.

The most recent high-profile partnership for the business is with Ford for Sync, a voice-controlled communications, information and entertainment system that's built on Windows Embedded. (There's also a similar deal with Kia, named Uvo.)

Wondering how much energy your car is using -- and how you can change your driving behavior to be more efficient? Soon, that tech may no longer exclusively be in the orbit a hybrid vehicle like the Toyota Prius.

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com