When the internet breaks, unexpected things can happen. The recent AWS outage had a ripple effect on various services, causing glitches, disruptions, and even humor. Here are some surprising consequences that emerged during this digital meltdown.
1. Smart beds got stuck in an inclined position due to the AWS outage.
Eight Sleep’s smart bed owners reported their bed was “stuck” or “in an inclined position” while other users experienced issues with temperature control.
2. Slack users were trapped in never-ending huddles.
A status update on Slack mentioned that some users remained stuck in a huddle after trying to leave, causing frustration for those unable to escape the audio call.
3. The Premier League lost its virtual referees.
The AWS outage took down the Semi-Automated Offside Technology used during Monday’s match between West Ham and Brentford.
4. Amazon.com turned into a gallery of dogs.
During the outage, the Amazon homepage displayed a collection of dog photos, showcasing the company’s furry employees.
5. Starbucks fans were burnt by their mobile app outage.
Coffee lovers had to visit physical stores to order their favorite drinks due to the failure of Starbucks’ mobile app.
6. Wordle and Duolingo fans threatened to riot.
The puzzle games were impacted during the AWS outage, leading some enthusiasts to panic and threaten to take action if their streaks were lost.
7. Airline passengers lost check-in info and seat reservations.
Delta and United passengers experienced issues with reservations and seating after the outage, causing delays and confusion.
8. Even school exams were delayed.
Canvas, an online teaching aid used by students in the US, went down for over 12 hours due to the AWS outage.
9. Bank transfers disappeared into the ether.
Venmo and other mobile payment apps experienced issues with sending and receiving payments during the outage, causing stress for users trying to make transactions.
The AWS outage reminded us that our modern internet can be fragile and prone to disruptions. While some people enjoyed “internet snow days,” others faced frustration and inconvenience.
Source: https://www.techradar.com/computing/internet/the-9-weirdest-things-that-happened-during-amazons-huge-aws-outage