The recent outage of Amazon Web Services (AWS) had widespread implications, affecting numerous popular applications and disrupting the functionality of smart home devices. This incident, which lasted for several hours, resulted in various inconveniences for users who relied heavily on cloud-connected gadgets.
Among the most notable victims was EightSleep, a smart mattress that adjusts its temperature based on the user”s body and tracks sleep patterns for a subscription fee. Users expressed frustration as their devices malfunctioned, with one noting, “My bed is stuck in Relax mode and won”t change,” while another lamented, “Sweating through my sheets because the app”s dead.” The mattress reportedly generates a substantial amount of data monthly, highlighting the extent of its reliance on cloud services.
Other devices were similarly affected. The automated litter box known as LitterRobot briefly lost its ability to connect to its servers. A user shared on social media, “LitterRobot was my casualty this time,” but thankfully, the device still functioned despite the lack of monitoring capabilities. Meanwhile, owners of Philips Hue smart bulbs found themselves in the dark as their lighting systems ceased to operate.
The outage extended even to the realm of bathroom devices, with humorous posts appearing online, including a sign that read “Bathroom Closed AWS Outage.” Although meant in jest, it underscored the growing dependence on cloud connectivity for everyday items.
As engineers worked to resolve the issues stemming from a DNS error, social media became a platform for users to share their frustrations and seek camaraderie. A thread on Reddit, titled “If you were the AWS server guy after a day like today, what”s the first thing you”re doing when you clock out?” quickly turned into a group therapy session for those affected. One user commented, “Definitely a “drive home with the radio off” day,” while others expressed dark humor regarding potential coping mechanisms.
This outage serves as a critical reminder of the fragility inherent in our increasingly connected world. The disruption transformed high-tech products into low-tech solutions: the EightSleep mattress became merely a heating pad, the LitterRobot a manual scoop, and the Hue bulbs ordinary light fixtures. As one weary user succinctly put it, “We always joke about putting everything in the cloud. Today, the cloud put everything on hold.”
