Amazon's Cloud Drive & Player: An Overview

Cloud computing continues to change the way Internet users can save, share, and access files online. Amazon.com's Cloud Drive, for example, allows for ample and conveniently accessed online storage space. Available both free and paid versions, Drive also works in conjunction with a new cloud technology offering from Amazon called Amazon Cloud Player.

Compared to other available services, Amazon's Cloud Drive isn't the most robust to be found as far as options are concerned. Popular features such as local file and folder synchronization, and access through a system's local file browser are missing. However, the goal of the service is to offer simple and basic file storage. Drive accomplishes that objective quite well, and other than a 2GB limit per file size restriction, any type of file may be easily saved for convenient and seamless anywhere access. Yet, there is something else to make note of. Not only is Drive an effective solution for storage, but it is also married quite well to Amazon's other cloud offering called Amazon Cloud Player.

The Amazon Cloud Player allows for streaming and playing of archived music (user uploads or Amazon purchased MP3s stored in a user's Drive) from the cloud service to available players. Currently those available players include a web based player viewable in traditional browsers, and a mobile based player for the Android operating system. While the player service is not required to use the cloud storage space, the ability to use the space in conjunction with the player offers ease of use and the convenience of global access to a growing music collection. As digital media libraries continue to grow, many phone users will likely enjoy freeing some space on their storage cards to make way for application installations and other files.

Admittedly, like Drive, Player also doesn't include all of the rich features to be found on many popular desktop media players. Additionally, it is uncertain as to what other devices and platforms will eventually be compatible with both services. While in its infancy, however, both Drive and Player provide convenient and functional services.

Amazon's Cloud Player is currently free for both web browser use and for the Android OS.

Amazon's Cloud Drive is available in a variety of sizes. With a valid Amazon.com account, 5GB of storage space is free. A tiered structure allows for incremental increases in available space for a yearly subscription fee. While prices are subject to change, current pricing places more space at a dollar a GB; for example $20 USD for 20GB, and $50 USD for 50GB.

More information can be found by visiting Amazon.com.