Businessweek

Amazon.com Inc. announced the launch of Amazon Cloud Drive on Amazon.ca. Customers in Canada can now easily upload and securely store all of their digital files in the Amazon Cloud, and access them using Cloud Drive for Windows and Mac, or from any web browser. Customers can also use Cloud Drive Photos for Android or iOS devices to store, share and access photos from their Android phones or tablets and iPhones or iPod touch devices. All customers get 5 GB of free storage. Additional storage plans start at CAD 10 a year. Cloud Drive for Windows and Mac includes File Sync, which automatically synchronizes files and helps customers easily store and manage their digital content in the Amazon Cloud from a folder on their computer. The app makes it simple for users to put files in Amazon Cloud Drive and access them from any of their computers, ensuring they always have access to the latest version of their files. The Cloud Drive Photos for Android or iOS devices makes it easy to store, share and enjoy photos from Android phones and tablets, as well as iPhones and iPod touch devices. The app automatically saves a phone's photos to Amazon Cloud Drive, so customers never have to worry about losing their pictures, even if their phone is misplaced. In addition, any photos in Amazon Cloud Drive are available through the Cloud Drive Photos app, so photos can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Amazon's Cloud Drive Photos app is available through iTunes for the iPhone and iPod touch and available through the Amazon Appstore for Android and Google Play for Android phones and tablets.

Union leaders in Germany reported that about 700 Amazon.com Inc. warehouse workers walked off their jobs on May 15, 2013 in a protest focused on wages. Amazon employs 2,000 workers at a warehouse in Leipzig, where 500 workers went on a one-day strike, while workers from two warehouses in Bad Hersfeld also participated. The union is challenging the company to negotiate to reach a collective wage agreement with workers. The union is pushing for wages that acknowledge their role in a retail company. But Amazon reported that makes no sense.

Amazon.com Inc. announced that customers can now use Amazon Coins to purchase apps, games and in-app items in the Amazon Appstore and on Kindle Fire. To celebrate the launch, existing and new Kindle Fire customers in the U.S. have had 500 free Coins--a $5 value--deposited into their Amazon accounts. For customers, Amazon Coins is an easy way to purchase apps and in-app items on Kindle Fire, and for developers it's another opportunity to drive traffic, downloads and increased monetization. With discounts of up to 10% for purchasing Coins in bulk, it's also an opportunity for customers to save money on their app and game purchases. Customers can purchase Coins by visiting amazon.com/coins. Amazon Coins is the latest offering in an array of services that make Amazon the most complete end-to-end ecosystem for building, monetizing and marketing their apps and games. These capabilities include: The ability for app developers to use Amazon Web Services' (AWS) technology platform for their infrastructure needs. App submission for distribution to nearly 200 countries globally enables developers to reach millions more Amazon customers worldwide. In-App Purchasing on Kindle Fire, Mac, PC and web-based games. GameCircle, which includes capabilities like Achievements, Leaderboards, Friends and Whispersync for syncing games across devices, and leads to better engagement with games. Game Connect, which lets developers list their virtual goods for sale on Amazon, increasing discoverability of their games and making the purchase of virtual goods as easy and convenient as possible for customers, leading to increased monetization for developers.

UNIT4 Business Software announced that UNIT4 has signed an agreement with Amazon.com which will see the Group extend its portfolio of cloud locations through the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud platform. The initial focus of the partnership is the North American region where AWS meets the security standards demanded by North American companies. Under the agreement UNIT4, which provides software and services to Businesses Living in Change (BLINC)(TM), becomes an Amazon Technology & Consulting partner. It will develop consultancy and technical support aimed at deploying AWS as a flexible, scalable on-demand cloud platform for its customers. Globally, UNIT4 has built strong expertise in cloud computing. Currently its flagship Agresso and Coda solutions are offered through UNIT4's own robust and proven infrastructure from several locations throughout the world. This partnership complements and extends UNIT4's existing services to better meet the different legislative and operational requirements of clients all over the world. By connecting to the existing AWS platform, UNIT4 is able to expand its cloud services and comply with the rules and regulations of the US government, without the need to build its own datacenter location and operations. As a result customers will benefit from the economies of scale offered by the UNIT4 Cloud.

Amazon.com is facing the threat of a strike for the first time in the country by warehouse workers seeking better pay and benefits. Trade union has accused the retailer of failing to agree on a collective agreement on employment conditions, which the region's other mail order and retail firms have implemented. It is also asking for increases in basic pay and larger supplements for night shifts. The trade union said almost 98% of those taking part in the ballot at Bad Hersfeld voted in favor of strike action. Amazon's management had again refused to enter negotiations on a collective agreement, but is ready to hold further talks with trade union.