Tech news digest for Saturday, July 18, 2026

Federal employees can download TikTok on their work phones again

Federal employees are once again permitted to download TikTok on their government devices, as confirmed by a Department of Justice memo. This change comes after a 2022 law that prohibited the app's use was declared no longer applicable due to a new ownership structure. TikTok's U.S. operations have transitioned to a joint venture involving Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, while ByteDance retains a minority stake of 19.9%. The DOJ memo states that this decision allows employees of Executive Branch agencies to download the app, subject to their agency's policies.

• The 2022 law banning TikTok for federal employees is now deemed inapplicable.

iPhone 18 Pro is just two months away, but you probably shouldn’t wait for it

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are set to launch in September 2026, with the base model being delayed until spring 2027. Anticipated upgrades include a smaller Dynamic Island, a variable aperture main camera, and the introduction of Apple's C2 modem for satellite 5G connectivity. However, significant price hikes are expected, with estimates suggesting the Pro could start between $1199 and $1399, while the Pro Max may range from $1299 to $1499. Given the modest upgrades compared to the iPhone 17 Pro, which is currently priced at $1099, many consumers may find it more sensible to purchase the older model now.

• The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a larger battery and increased thickness.
• The A20 Pro chip will be the first generation 2nm chip in the iPhone lineup.

Pfizer Paid Out $14.6 Billion in Dividends Over the Last 18 Months. Can It Keep This Up Through the Patent Cliff?

Pfizer has distributed $14.6 billion in dividends over the past 18 months, with $9.8 billion paid in 2025 and $4.8 billion in the first half of 2026. This substantial outflow raises concerns about the sustainability of its high 7% dividend yield, especially as several major drugs, including Ibrance, Eliquis, and Vyndaqel, are set to lose patent protection between 2027 and 2028. Despite a trailing dividend payout ratio exceeding 130%, Pfizer maintains a cash balance of $1.7 billion and $11.3 billion in short-term investments, indicating it has options to support its dividend, which management has prioritized as a long-term goal.

• Management has stated that maintaining the dividend is a key long-term goal.

Apple @ Work: New macOS ClickFix malware brings a new potential backdoor to your enterprise fleet

A newly identified macOS ClickFix malware campaign employs social engineering tactics to trick users into executing a malicious AppleScript. This attack directs victims to counterfeit websites that mimic legitimate services, prompting them to paste commands into the macOS Terminal. Once executed, the malware runs entirely in memory, leaving no trace on the local drive, and subsequently extracts sensitive information such as passwords and session cookies. Additionally, it targets 25 different desktop crypto wallets, replacing legitimate applications with trojanized versions to bypass macOS security measures.

• The infection chain operates without leaving files on the local drive, evading detection.

Anthropic slashes Claude Fable 5 limits in Max and Team Premium and pushes Pro users toward API pricing

Starting July 20, 2026, Anthropic will include Claude Fable 5 in its Max and Team Premium plans, but with significantly reduced usage limits. Regular limits will decrease by 33%, and Fable 5 will only be accessible at 50% of these already lowered limits. Pro and Team Standard subscribers will effectively lose access to Fable 5, receiving a one-time $100 usage credit before being required to switch to API pricing. Anthropic cited challenges in managing Fable demand and is investing in additional capacity, a reversal from its initial plan to remove Fable from subscription options entirely, likely influenced by competition from OpenAI's GPT-5.6 Sol, which offers similar performance at a lower cost.

• The changes take effect on July 20, 2026, coinciding with the end of the bonus usage phase.
• Anthropic's decision to retain Fable in subscription plans follows competitive pressure from OpenAI's GPT-5.6 Sol.

Apple raises iCloud+ subscription prices in several countries

Apple has implemented price increases for its iCloud+ subscription service in several countries, following similar hikes for Apple Music and hardware products. In Egypt, for instance, the 200 GB plan has risen from £149.99 to £179.99, while the 2 TB plan now costs £599.99, up from £499.99. Other affected countries include Nigeria, Japan, and New Zealand, where prices for various tiers have also increased. This move comes amid a broader trend of rising prices for Apple products due to supply chain challenges.