Amazon expands payment options with Apple Pay and Apple Card for Black Friday 2026

Apple Pay and Apple Card now accepted on Amazon

Amazon is rolling out support for Apple Pay and Apple Card as payment methods for the 2026 Black Friday shopping season, according to Mashable. The move expands options for customers beyond traditional debit, credit cards, or Amazon gift cards.

Apple Pay can be used directly on Amazon if the vendor accepts it, requiring users to link a card in their iPhone’s Wallet app. For vendors that do not support Apple Pay, customers can use the Apple Card as an alternative payment method.

Setting up these payment options involves adding the Apple Card to the Wallet app and selecting it during checkout on Amazon.

Kindle Unlimited rebranded as Kindle+

Amazon rebranded its subscription service Kindle Unlimited to Kindle+ on October 22, 2026. The service provides access to a vast library of books for a monthly fee of $11.99 after any promotional trial period.

Promotions may include a one-month free trial, and users who cancel during this period retain access until the trial ends. Cancellation can be done in three steps via Amazon’s subscriptions tab.

AWS cloud capacity sold out through 2027

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has sold out its cloud computing capacity through 2027, with commitments extending into 2028, according to ET Tech. The demand is driven by enterprises and AI labs seeking infrastructure for AI applications.

AWS services like EC2, which provides cloud servers for running applications, and Bedrock, which offers access to AI models for building generative AI applications, are central to this surge in demand. Amazon plans to spend $220 billion in capital expenditure for 2026 to meet this growing need.

Cloud computing capacity for 2026 is already fully allocated, reflecting the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure requirements.

Travis Knight criticizes Amazon’s handling of Masters of the Universe

Director Travis Knight expressed disappointment with Amazon’s marketing and release strategy for Masters of the Universe, a film he directed that premiered in theaters in June 2026. The movie grossed $113 million worldwide but gained traction only after its Prime Video release, where it became the most-watched media in its debut week with 1.17 billion minutes of view time.

Knight reportedly did not understand Amazon’s focus on streaming metrics over theatrical performance, telling the Hollywood Reporter that the film deserved better. Amazon has previously stated that projects like Masters of the Universe and Red One may perform better on streaming platforms, emphasizing the complementary value of theatrical and streaming releases for its slate.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

For founders and operators, Amazon’s latest moves signal shifts in three key areas. First, the addition of Apple Pay and Apple Card as payment options reflects Amazon’s effort to reduce friction for customers, particularly during high-volume shopping periods like Black Friday. This could pressure competitors in e-commerce and fintech to expand their own payment integrations or risk losing convenience-driven customers.

Second, the rebranding of Kindle Unlimited to Kindle+ suggests Amazon is doubling down on its subscription model, a strategy that may inspire other digital service providers to refine their own offerings. The emphasis on flexibility—such as retaining free trials even after cancellation—could become a benchmark for subscription-based businesses.

Third, AWS’s sold-out cloud capacity and $220 billion capital expenditure plan underscore the relentless demand for AI and cloud infrastructure. For startups and enterprises, this reinforces the importance of securing cloud resources early or exploring alternative providers to avoid delays in scaling AI-driven applications. The situation also highlights a potential opportunity for competitors like Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud to capture market share by addressing AWS’s capacity constraints.

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