Amazon joins cloud-based syncing services with Cloud Drive

Amazon subtly joins the cloud-based syncing services bandwagon along with Dropbox, Google Drive and Microsoft's SkyDrive. Amazon's Cloud Drive now offers desktop file syncing capabilities similar to Dropbox.

Amazon's Cloud Drive was previously offered only via web interface. Now you can install it on your desktop and a new Cloud Drive folder will be on it. Drop your files onto that folder and it will automatically sync with Amazon's servers. And wherever you go, you'll have access to them from anywhere via Cloud Drive's web interface.

Take note that the Cloud Drive requires Java to run. The Windows app is bundled with Java while Mac users will be prompted and required to install one. Unlike Dropbox, Cloud Drive doesn't have any mobile platform yet, so Dropbox still got the upper hand when it comes to mobile accessibility.

Amazon Cloud Drive has a definite price advantage over other cloud services. It currently offers 5GB storage for free accounts and additional storage is available for only $0.50/GB (down from $1/GB rate when it was first launched) which is much lower than SkyDrive and Dropbox price rates.