Channel Beat: Another Corporate Split In 2015?

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2014 was the year of splits--- both for HP and Symantec. Now, as we round out the year, could Amazon be next?

A leading investment firm with a good track record in calling corporation breakups predicts Amazon will spin off its Web services business in 2015. The Edge Consulting Group says the spinoff would raise the total valuation of Amazon, which has struggled to turn quarterly profits.

The consulting group predicts AWS’ value on the open market could reach $38 billion.

BlackBerry launched its new smartphone this week, the Classic.

The Classic lives up to its name with a hard keyboard and belt of four navigation buttons. The features will be familiar to BlackBerry loyalists, but CEO John Chen also promises an upgraded battery that will provide 22 hours of nonstop usage.

The Classic will cost $449 unlocked, and will be carried by both Verizon and AT&T in the U.S.

Solution provider Unisys has named a new CEO: Peter Altabef will try to steer the company back toward profitable growth.

Former CEO Ed Coleman stepped down from his role after Unisys posted losses in seven of the last 11 quarters.

Altabef has more than 20 years of channel experience, with CEO and presidential roles at Micros Systems and Perot Systems.

PUBLISHED DEC. 19, 2014