Amazon Cuts About 250 Jobs in Devices and Services Unit Days After Product Launches

Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) laid off about 250 employees in its Devices and Services division on Wednesday, mostly software developers, the company confirmed. The cuts came the same day Amazon announced new Alexa-enabled smart alarms and digital photo frames. A company spokesperson called the reductions "a difficult decision" and said the changes would help Amazon "operate more efficiently and better align with our product roadmap," without elaborating. A person familiar with the matter said fewer than 250 positions were affected. Affected employees were notified by text and email early Wednesday, per a memo from Cherie Robinson, vice president of human resources for the division, who cited a "comprehensive review" of the organizational structure. The move follows roughly 1,000 cuts in Amazon's core retail division earlier this month, even as the company rolled out new Kindle e-readers and tablets in recent weeks. Amazon is scheduled to report third-quarter earnings after the U.S. market close on Thursday.