Amazons

A major outage at Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Monday disrupted a large portion of the internet, taking down apps, websites and online tools used by millions of people around the world, before services were eventually restored.

From banking apps and airlines to smart home devices and gaming platforms, the hours-long breakdown revealed how much of modern life depends on cloud’s infrastructure.

Here is what we know:

What happened and what caused the AWS outage?

At about 07:11 GMT, Amazon’s cloud service experienced a major outage, meaning some of its systems stopped working, which disrupted many popular apps and websites, including banks, gaming platforms and entertainment services.

The problem started in one of AWS’s main data centres in Virginia, its oldest and biggest site, after a technical update to the API – a connection between different computer programmes – of DynamoDB, a key cloud database service that stores user information and other important data for many online platforms.

The root cause appears to have been an error in the update that affected the Domain Name System (DNS), which helps apps find the correct server addresses. A DNS works like the internet’s phone book, turning website names into the numeric IP addresses that computers use to connect to servers.

Because of the DNS issue, apps could not find the IP address for DynamoDB’s API and were unable to connect.

As DynamoDB went down, other AWS services also began to fail. In total, 113 services were affected by the outage. By 10:11 GMT, Amazon said that all AWS returned to normal operations, but there was a backlog “of messages that they will finish processing over the next few hours”.

At the time of publication, Downdetector, a website that tracks internet outages based on user reports, was still showing problems with platforms such as OpenAI, ESPN and Apple Music.

Updated look at the total impact of the AWS Outage up to this point!https://t.co/Bgpm1fFGtf pic.twitter.com/TAAxjagNl6

— Downdetector (@downdetector) October 20, 2025

What is a cloud and what exactly is AWS?

A cloud is a way of storing and using data or programmes over the internet instead of on your computer or other physical storage devices.

When people say something is “in the cloud”, it means the files, apps or systems are running on powerful computers (called servers) in data centres owned by companies like Amazon (AWS), Google or Microsoft, not on your personal device.

In this case, AWS allows companies to rent computing power and storage. It supplies the technology that runs websites, apps and many online services behind the scenes.

One of AWS’s core services is DynamoDB, a database that stores important information for companies, such as customer records. On Monday, Amazon reported that customers were unable to access their DynamoDB data.

AWS is the biggest cloud service provider in the world.

Cloud outages are not rare, but they have become more noticeable as more companies rely on these services every day.

“The fallout impacted people across a number of different spheres,” Joshua Mahony, the chief market analyst at Scope Markets, told Al Jazeera. [But] of course this kind of comes with the territory with tech companies; the key is they can resolve it quickly, and it doesn’t cost them a lot of money.”

He said Amazon would likely weather the storm from the incident.

“You’re looking at something that is relatively contained,” he said. “Amazon Web Services has cornered 30 percent of the market alone. Their users are not going to suddenly jump ship. Their businesses are deeply ingrained.”

Which services and apps went down?

The outage affected dozens of websites, including Snapchat, Pinterest and Apple TV, according to Downdetector.

Other communication apps were also affected including: WhatsApp, Signal, Zoom and Slack; gaming services such as Roblox, Fortnite and Xbox; and places like Starbucks. Etsy also experienced issues.

In the United States, people were having issues with financial apps too, including Venmo.

Some users said their Ring doorbells and Alexa speakers stopped working, while others could not access the Amazon website or download books on their Kindles.

The language app Duolingo and creative tool Canva were among those reporting errors on their websites, and several media organisations were hit, including the Associated Press news agency, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Banks, the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, and AI firm Perplexity also reported issues, along with US airlines Delta and United.

Why did so many major apps go offline at once?

When AWS had its outage, it was not just Amazon’s tools that were affected. Thousands of other companies that use AWS for storage, databases or web hosting were also hit. These companies include many major apps that rely on AWS to run key parts of their systems.

“Whenever we see these headlines, the first thought that goes through everybody’s mind, that sends a shiver up the spine, is, ‘Is this one of those cyberattacks? Is this a military or intelligence-led thing that has led to this disruption?’ And in this case, it’s not,” Bryson Bort chief executive of the cybersecurity company Scythe told Al Jazeera.

“In fact, most of the time, it isn’t. It’s usually human error.”

How did Amazon respond?

AWS acknowledged the outage and said engineers were “immediately engaged” to fix the problem.

AWS said it worked on “multiple parallel paths to accelerate recovery”. It also reported that the main issue had been fully resolved, though some users continued to face minor delays as systems recovered.

The company also said it would publish a detailed post-event summary explaining what happened.

LOOKING for some domestic help around the house this autumn?

Head straight to Amazon, where there’s a self-emptying robot vacuum on a massive, limited-time sale, slashed to under £200.

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Vexilar Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
Cleaner, £199.98 (was £329.99)

Robot vacuums come in a wide variety of budgets and capabilities, from basic models that just sweep to high-end devices that map your entire home and even mop.

But you don’t always have to splash the cash for great features, as Amazon often drops the price on some leading cleaning devices.

Right now, you can snap up the Vexilar Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum Cleaner for an absolutely steal.

It was priced at £329.99, but is currently reduced to just £199.98 – that’s a discount of almost 40%.

We in the Sun Shopping team haven’t tested out this particular models ourselves – for some tested recommendations, you’ll need to head to our best robot vacuum cleaners page.

But this device has proved incredibly popular with shoppers, currently ranking as the third-best selling robot vacuum on the Amazon site.

The Vexilar packs two pieces of impressive tech for a price that’s now firmly in budget territory.

Firstly, it’s unusual to get a robot vacuum for less than £200 that comes with a self-emptying bin – that’s usually the domain of premium devices.

(I recently reviewed a flagship robot vac that self-empties, but it costs a whopping £1,119 – read my Eureka J15 Max Ultra review if you’re curious.)

The Vexilar’s base station contains a 2L dust bag, which is advertised to last for 60 days before you need to empty it.

That’s a massive plus for busy households.

Secondly, there’s the laser-mapping, which is something you’ll not often see with cheaper devices.

Basically, its Advanced LDS Laser Navigation will precisely map your home in 360 degrees, allowing it to plan the most efficient cleaning route.

It even lets you set virtual ‘no-go’ zones and customise suction or water levels for specific rooms via the app.

When it comes to power, the vacuum boasts a 6000Pa suction, and the manufacturer says it’s effective at tackling pet hair and debris on everything from hardwood floors to low-pile carpets.

The device also has a long 180-minute runtime on a single charge in quiet mode, before returning to its base station to re-charge.

You can control it via the companion app, or connect it to your smart home using Alexa, Google Home, or Siri – that’s seriously hands-off cleaning.

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Vexilar Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
Cleaner, £199.98 (was £329.99)

Over 800 people have left five-star reviews on the Amazon page for this device.

“Worth it – powerful, reliable, and hassle-free,” says one happy customer.

“[I’m] really happy with this robot vacuum. Easy to set up, cleans well, and the auto-empty base is a big time saver.

It navigates around furniture without any issues and picks up dust and pet hair easily… Makes life a lot easier. Definitely recommend.”

Another shopper writes: “I’ve been using this for a few days now but oh boy! I’m honestly impressed!

“The battery lasts long enough to finish the whole house, and if it runs low it goes back, recharges and picks up where it left off.

“I also like that I can control it with the app or just ask Alexa to start cleaning,” said another.

“Worth every penny, don’t hesitate!” wrote a third shopper, while other buyers described it

“Complete game-changer,” commented a fourth.

“Life-changing,” was the verdict of a fifth reviewer.

This huge saving on the Vexilar Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum Cleaner is marked as a limited-time deal, so you shouldn’t wait too long if you want to bag this bargain.

Keep in mind that Amazon Prime Day is happening next week (October 7th-8th), and it’s not impossible that this device could drop even lower in price.

However, any potential further discount will likely be a deal only available to Amazon Prime members.

Shoppers getting winter-ready shouldn’t miss a superb deal on a heated throw, which has been reduced by 54% on Amazon.

If you live in a house that’s prone to damp, the problem can get worse over the colder months, especially if it’s not tackled. 

A dehumidifier can help, but you don’t have to splurge to buy one – Amazon has slashed the set of 12 Nyxi dehumidifiers from £13.49 to £11.46, working out at 89p each.

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Nyxi Dehumidifier Set of 12,
£11.46 (was £13.49)

Condensation on windows might be a common occurrence in the autumn and winter, but it can lead to problems.

Dehumidifiers are a solution that many households turn to for the latter part of the year.

They work by taking moisture from the air, which soaks into the beads and collects as water at the bottom.

Each one can hold up to 500ml, lasting 3-5 weeks depending how much moisture there is, but with 12 replacements, it could end up as an entire year’s supply.

Thanks to the small size, each one can fit in any area, which can prove difficult with a large dehumidifier.

This means you could place them on windowsills to collect condensation, or in wardrobes to ensure clothes don’t get damp or mouldy.

Utility rooms and bathrooms naturally get super damp, so these are also good places to use the dehumidifiers to reduce humidity.

If left alone, damp can progress and cause damage to walls and also lead to mould, which creates an unhealthy living environment.

The affordable Amazon buy has gained thousands of reviews, with shoppers praising how affordable and effective the dehumidifiers are.

One shopper said: ‘’I bought these dehumidifiers as I live in a ground-floor flat, and during the wet weather I cannot hang out my laundry, so I have to hand it on a clothes horse next to the radiators.

‘’As we all know this will cause dampness, so these dehumidifiers are ideal – they suck up all the moisture in the air and store it in the lower section.

‘’After about 3 months I can throw them away, and replace them with new ones, helping me keep my flat free from mould and dampness.’’

Another shopper commented: ‘’I find these to be quite useful for small rooms.

‘’I live in Devon and near the sea which means I have double the amount of humidity than other places.

‘’High electric bill prevented me from using a dehumidifier so this is the next best thing.

‘’They usually last about 6-8 weeks in my house.’’

A third shopper added: ”This product is brilliant for keeping condensation away from windows in the cold months.”

Nyxi Dehumidifier Set of 12,
£11.46 (was £13.49)

If you’re still making up your mind on which dehumidifier to buy – check out our list of the best dehumidifiers to see what we thought of some of the top brands.

We’ve put the best air purifiers to the test too, trying 11 devices that clean, filter and remove odours from your home.

Amazon (AMZN -1.20%) is one of the world’s most recognizable companies. Its e-commerce platform is responsible for delivering billions of dollars worth of goods every year in over 100 countries around the globe, and has led the e-commerce revolution. However, the e-commerce shift has largely played out, and with artificial intelligence (AI) investing dominating the market, it may seem like Amazon stock is out of favor.

But that’s not the case. Amazon is also heavily involved in the AI arms race and has another exciting division that’s driving impressive growth. The combination of a strong base business alongside a couple that are growing rapidly can lead to long-term outperformance, making Amazon an intriguing stock to buy now.

But what kind of growth can Amazon investors expect by 2030? Let’s find out.

Image source: Getty Images.

Two divisions are driving Amazon’s outsize profit growth

Amazon’s commerce divisions are well known, but there is a fact that’s not as widely known: This business isn’t as profitable as one might think. In Q2, Amazon’s North American commerce divisions generated $7.5 billion in operating profit on sales of $100 billion. However, most of that profit likely comes from one unlikely source: digital advertisements.

Amazon’s advertising services divisions have been rapidly growing behind the scenes, and are a large reason why Amazon’s operating profits have improved over the past few years. In Q2, ad services revenue rose 23% year over year, making it the fastest-growing division within Amazon. While Amazon doesn’t break out the individual operating margins per segment, this division likely has impressive margins. Another advertising-focused business, Meta Platforms, has consistently delivered operating profits between 30% and 45% over the last five years. That’s quite a bit higher than Amazon’s divisionwide operating margin of 7.5%, so it’s likely that the faster advertising service growth rate will continue to improve Amazon’s operating profits.

One division where Amazon breaks out the operating margin outside of commerce is Amazon Web Services (AWS), its cloud computing division. AWS is the world’s largest cloud provider, having experienced several years of impressive growth. It’s also benefiting from the AI arms race, as several clients lack the resources to build their own data centers for training and running AI models, so they rent them from AWS.

AWS’ operating margins are significantly better than those of its commerce siblings, as it reported an impressive 33% operating margin. That’s down from Q1’s 39% margin, but it makes sense considering how much money AWS is spending to build out increased computing capacity due to massive demand.

Cloud computing is expected to be a massive growth trend over the next few years, with Grand View Research estimating that the global cloud computing market will expand from $752 billion in 2024 to $2.39 trillion by 2030. That’s massive growth, and shows that AWS will continue to be a strong profit driver for Amazon over the next five years.

With two strong growth trends propelling Amazon’s profits higher, what will Amazon’s stock price be five years from now?

Amazon could be a $500 stock by 2030

In Q2, Amazon’s operating profits increased by 31%. This is a significantly slower rate of growth than it was previously, but with the outsize growth of highly profitable divisions like AWS and its ad services, I believe this is a sustainable growth rate through 2030. To account for some conservatism, we will use a 20% growth rate.

Data by YCharts.

If Amazon can continue growing its operating profits by 20% through 2030, that indicates $210 billion in operating profits by the end of 2030. That’s a 172% increase from today’s levels.

As long as Amazon’s valuation today is reasonable (it’s somewhat pricey at 32 times operating profits), its growth would be similar to its stock price growth. If we project Amazon to trade at 25 times operating profits, that would give the company a $5.3 trillion market cap, or a stock price of $492.

So, even with a lot of conservatism baked in (a lower growth rate than I think is possible and a decreased valuation), Amazon has the potential to be nearly a $500 stock by 2030. That’s more than a double in under six years, making it a great stock to buy now and hold over the next few years.

SHOPPERS are rushing to buy a nifty gadget that costs just 1p to run – and they say it will stop them having to turn the heating on this winter.

The handy product will help keep you warm at home as the colder months approach, and it doesn’t cost a fortune.

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Amazon is selling the neck and shoulder heatpad for £39.99.

It normally retails at £59.99 – representing a saving of 30%.

The Dreamland heatpad is designed to be worn around the neck and can keep your shoulders feeling toasty in winter.

It has also been praised by buyers for easing symptoms associated with arthritis and injuries.

Others have described it as “excellent”.

One satisfied customer hailed it as “lovely” as it stays warm for hours and doesn’t cost anything extra to reheat.

Easy to use

The product’s manufacturer said it delivers “precise temperature control for a full three-hour treatment”.

It added: “It is so easy to use, and has a choice of five continuous use temperate setting, with a three-hour auto shut off timer.

“It costs from as little as 1p to run per treatment for three hours.” 

The cover is machine washable and can be easily stored away when the weather warms back up.

It’s even landed dozens of five-star reviews online.

One buyer said: “Bought for my arthritic mother. She loves it and it helps her a lot.”

Another described it as a “lovely item”.

A third person wrote: “Excellent for a stiff neck, or trapped nerve.”

More money-saving gadgets

Savvy shoppers are always quick to share tips and tricks to keep warm for cheap this winter.

Some recently shared Lidl was selling £18 gadgets that save them turning the heating on.

One woman also recently shared her new hack – which is said to be like “hugging a sheep”.

Dunelm shoppers have also recently been rushing to buy a “life-saver” winter gadget.

The discounter is selling the device that costs just 1p an hour to run.

Aldi also recently shared one of its winter gadgets that costs just 6p to run.

Don’t forget about your hands …

Here are some handy tips to ease the effects of cold weather on your hands …

A pair of mitts can really help your hands through the winter months.

Wear gloves outside so that the cold air doesn’t zap the moisture out of your skin.

For washing up, protect your hands with rubber gloves. Apply hand cream before putting on the gloves and the warm water will help the cream soothe your hands.

Dry, brittle and split nails are a real pain in winter, when our hands are craving moisture. The answer may lie in your food cupboard.

Rubbing olive oil into your nails and cuticles each day can strengthen and soothe them, reducing the risk of splits.

Nursem is a handcare brand started by former children’s intensive care nurse Antonia Philp, whose hands were left cracked and sore from constant handwashing.

Or, to soothe winter hands, try this. Blitz 100g oats in a food mixer until it becomes a powder.

Add to a bowl of warm water with 50ml of olive oil. Soak hands for 10 minutes before drying and apply hand cream.

I go away a lot, and one thing that’s hard to avoid when you’re often packing and unpacking, is creased clothes.

My clothes steamer comes in handy all the time – it’s not fancy or branded, and costs just £21 on Amazon.

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BEAUTURAL Clothes Steamer, £21.99

Working in an office means needing my clothes to be crease-free, and with plenty of linen and cotton in my summer wardrobe, this can feel like a neverending cycle.

I got fed up of ironing years ago, and decided to replace my most hated chore with an easier solution.

I bought the BEAUTURAL Clothes Steamer from Amazon, in the hope that it would save me time and effort.

Performance

The handheld steamer couldn’t be easier to use – all you have to do is pull out the water tank and fill it with tap water.

Then, you just press the power button at the back and wait a few seconds for the steam to start up.

I find the easiest way to steam an item of clothing is by hanging it up on a doorway, and then I can run the steamer down it in lines, until all the creases have gone.

You don’t get the exact same finish as with an iron (clothes aren’t as crisp), however it does get the majority of wrinkles out, in more than half the time.

Not only does it do the job, but it also avoids having to lug an ironing board out of the cupboard.

Plus, my main two issues with ironing are solved – it’s near-on impossible to burn something with the steamer, and I don’t have to worry about creasing one side.

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BEAUTURAL Clothes Steamer, £21.99

For best results, I’d recommend leaving the clothes hanging up for a while after steaming, just to let any leftover creases drop out – but I do sometimes use it in a hurry too.

The steamer can also be used horizontally on flat surfaces like tablecloths and even soft furnishings.

If, like me, you’re often packing a suitcase for a staycation or holiday, the steamer is fairly compact, so you could take it with you to use when you arrive.

I’ve never encountered any leaking when using the steamer, but it is best to switch it off as soon as you stop using it, to avoid damp surfaces.

It also works better on some fabrics than others – I would avoid using it for woollen or wool-effect clothes, as they can soak up the moisture.

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BEAUTURAL Clothes Steamer, £21.99

Speaking of handy household gadgets, there are some great deals out there at the moment, including the Ninja Summer Sale, which cuts 20% off almost everything online.

Or, if you’re kitting out your kitchen, I did a Ninja Crispi review, and found the air fryer to be a great household addition for getting crispy skin on chicken and cooking up snacks.