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...