Hasta La Gadget!

Well, if you have yet to enjoy the wonders of the cloud, perhaps it is time to do so, and what better way to start than with a name that most folks are more than familiar with, even more so, trust? Amazon has their Cloud Drive app out for some time already, and now, they have introduced yet another update for the Cloud Drive Desktop app that will introduce a spanking new file synchronization feature which would make life easier for the end user to manage files across multiple computers, all thanks to the updated Cloud Drive Desktop app. This new app will play nice with both Windows and Mac platforms, where it will also include File Sync, which will enable users to easily store and access files in the Amazon Cloud right from a folder on their computer regardless of where they are, as long as they remain connected to the Internet.

All files that are stashed in this particular folder will also see a copy stored automatically in Cloud Drive, and it is easily accessible. Whenever you choose to install the app on a second computer, your entire collection of synced files will also be “transported” there as well. Don’t you think that this particular idea would make it extremely simple for users to place files in Cloud Drive, sort of an “upload and forget” mechanism?

At least it shows how seriously that Amazon is taking its web services infrastructure. Right now, documents which are stashed in Cloud Drive will be automatically available in the Docs library over on the Kindle Fire. As for photos, those stashed in Cloud Drive will automatically be available in the Photos library on Kindle Fire and Cloud Drive Photos for Android. All photos which have been uploaded from the Cloud Drive Photos app on your phone are also automatically downloaded to the Cloud Drive folder on your computer.

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[ Amazon updates their Cloud Drive Desktop app copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

A patent filed by Amazon’s CEO, Jeff Bezos, and Amazon’s Vice President, Greg Hart, shows that Amazon may be launching a new, and different series of cloud-based Kindles in the future. The patent filed to the United States Patent and Trademark Office shows a remote display that will wirelessly receive its power and its data from nearby base stations. It also shows that the new “remote display” can potentially be implemented into car windshields and possibly a device similar to Google Glass.

The filing states that base stations will provide the power and data for the displays. It says that these displays will last “for substantially longer periods and may not need to be recharged.” The base stations will also receive user input, whether it’d be from voice commands or user gestures, and will send the correct actions to the display corresponding to the input (i.e. turn pages, return to the home screen, etc).

Amazon states that while the display may be able to operate “without requiring an independent power source (e.g. rechargeable battery)”, having a rechargeable battery in the device can offer many benefits. Amazon also states that the display will be beneficial to college campuses. It stated a scenario where base stations are located all throughout the college campus, providing wireless power and data networks to students. Students would be able to access data anywhere on campus, and it would open many doors for things like electronic textbooks. The new display may be able to relieve students from their heavy, physical textbooks.

Amazon isn’t sure how it will charge users for accessing data with the display, but it’s thinking about implementing an access or usage fee. Whatever the case may be, we probably won’t be seeing these displays for a while. Perhaps this is why Amazon hired ex-Windows Phone GM Charlie Kindel? Amazon has a lot of potential new products and services coming out in the future, perhaps even an Amazon Smartphone.

[via GeekWire]

Amazon files patent for wirelessly powered “remote displays” is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Amazon has just hired the ex-General Manager of Windows Phone to work on a “secret” project. Charlie Kindel left Microsoft back in August of 2011 after working there for 21 years. He left Microsoft in order to launch his own startup, BizLogr. While he will still be the founder and owner of the startup, Kindel will hand over the reigns to the startup’s co-founder, Stefan Negritoiu, so that he can dedicate all his time to Amazon’s new project.

Kindel is unable to divulge any information regarding the project nor his current position at Amazon, but he states that the project has extreme potential. He stated to GeekWire that it was an opportunity that he could not refuse, and that “the idea that I can work in such a principled and customer focused company is really exciting to me.” There are a few speculations about what Kindel’s new project may be.

Many speculate that Amazon hired Kindel to work on its potential Smartphone device. It believes that Kindel has invaluable experience in the mobile sector of the technology business that can help them create a stand-out device. The Amazon smartphone is rumored to be revealed next year, giving Kindel enough time to mark out development plans for the device. With Kindel’s knowledge and Amazon’s huge user base of Kindle Fire users, they may be able to shell out a great, affordable device.

Of course, if he isn’t working on the Amazon smartphone, there are still plenty of other services that Amazon is working on. Amazon is supposedly working on a music subscription service. They’re working on a ton of original video content, with them just releasing the series “Betas” earlier last week, and they have a bunch of acquisitions in tow that they may modify in the near future. We should find out what Kindel will be doing with Amazon soon, so stay tuned to SlashGear for the info.

[via GeekWire]

Ex-Windows Phone GM joins the Amazon team is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Amazon’s Cloud Drive service hasn’t been around for too long — about a year now, but it’s already starting to feel like a viable replacement for Dropbox, especially considering that the company just added file-syncing capabilities to Cloud Drive today, allowing you to access your files from different devices anywhere.

The Windows and Mac apps for Cloud Drive have been updated with file syncing, allowing you to share files between multiple computers, which may not seem too enthralling at this point, and it’s certainly nothing groundbreaking, but it moves Cloud Drive one step closer to being a decent cloud storage service that could take on the likes of Dropbox and SkyDrive.

The new feature allows you to upload files from one computer and have them show up on other computers that you have connected to your Amazon Cloud Drive account, as well as the web interface, which you can access on any computer that doesn’t have the Cloud Drive app installed, allowing you to access your files from anywhere that has a computer.

Amazon Cloud Drive also comes with 5GB free, which is more than Dropbox’s 2GB free, which seems rather low compared to today’s standards. However, while Cloud Drive does have an Android version for mobile users, there’s no iOS version to be found yet, so Dropbox still has a slight lead right now, but it’s only a matter of time before they get some real competition creeping up on them.

Amazon Cloud Drive updates with file syncing is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The 4G LTE version of Amazon’s Kindle Fire HD 8.9 will arrive at select AT&T stores all across the nation starting on April 5th. The carrier will be the first carrier to sell the Kindle Fire HD tablet at its retail locations, and with an optional two-year contract. This comes at a perfect time because earlier in March, Amazon had slashed the price of its Kindle Fire HD 8.9 tablets, reducing the 4G version by up to $100.

AT&T will hold only the 32GB version of the tablet. Off contract, you can pick up a Kindle Fire HD 8.9 from AT&T for $399, the same price as it is on Amazon. However, if you sign a new two-year contract with AT&T, you can get $150 off the tablet, and purchase it only for $249. The latter would be an amazing deal considering most of us stick to our tablets for years.

The Kindle Fire HD 8.9 boasts some decent specs. The device has an 8.9-inch 1920 x 1200 resolution display with a pixel density of 254ppi. It has a 1.5GHz OMAP4470 processor, 1GB of RAM, a front-facing camera, custom Dolby audio and dual stereo speakers, and up to 10 hours of battery life. You will also have access to Amazon’s huge selection of entertainment, as well as Amazon’s exclusive features, such as X-Ray for movies/textbooks, Whispersync for voice/games, and immersion reading.

If you’re already an existing AT&T customer, you can pair up the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 with AT&T’s Mobile Share plans starting at only $10 a month. That way you can share the data on your plan throughout multiple devices. If you don’t have an existing AT&T plan, you can sign up for one for as low as $15 a month. The Kindle Fire HD 8.9 is a great tablet for regular consumers, and it has an easy-to-use interface. You can check out our review for the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 to see if it’s the right tablet or you.

[via Android Community]

Kindle Fire HD 8.9 4G LTE for AT&T will be available April 5th is written by Brian Sin & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.