Amazon is to introduce a virtual currency in May, Amazon Coins, to make it easier for Kindle Fire customers to buy apps, games and in-app items. It will also help developers monetise its Appstore for Android and increase the number of apps available.

Amazon said it plans to give customers tens of millions of dollars’ worth of Amazon Coins to spend. Developers will be able to monetise apps more easily and will receive 70% of the revenue earned on apps and in-app purchases.