Intel subsidiary Wind River meanwhile teamed up with stereo maker Clarion in 2011 to develop Android-based car infotainment systems, competing with Hong Kong-based Ca-Fi which does the same.

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That 50s area ideal of a part-time job and a fixed up car is simply gone with the wind.

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NRG, meanwhile, has been ramping up its investments in solar and wind power as well as rolling out an electric car-charging network in the petro capital of Houston, of all places.

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