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 This change comes after a 2022 law that prohibited the app's use was declared no longer applicable due to a new ownership structure.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.

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.

This week's AI winners and losers

This week, TSMC reported a remarkable 36% year-over-year revenue increase, reaching $17.2 billion, and a net income surge of 77.4%, fueled by high demand for AI chips from major tech clients like Apple and Nvidia. In contrast, IBM faced a severe setback, preannouncing Q2 earnings that fell short of expectations, resulting in a 26% drop in stock value, the largest decline since 1968. Meanwhile, China's Moonshot AI unveiled its Kimi K3 model, which, while not outperforming top models like OpenAI's GPT-5.6 Sol, excelled in certain benchmarks, highlighting the competitive landscape in AI development.

Warsh believes America's $700B AI buildout will lower prices — but his colleagues warn it will fuel persistent inflation

Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh has expressed optimism about the impact of a $700 billion AI spending surge by major tech firms, asserting it will enhance productivity and corporate profits without causing inflation. However, many of his colleagues on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) are skeptical, citing concerns that the ongoing demand for AI infrastructure could sustain upward pressure on prices. The FOMC's June meeting minutes revealed a significant shift in focus towards AI spending, with officials worried it could contribute to persistent inflation rather than a one-time price increase.

More games should be on rails (literally)

Denshattack!, developed by Undercoders, is a new on-rails game that transforms traditional train mechanics into a high-octane experience reminiscent of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. Set in a colorful version of Japan, players navigate through 10 worlds, performing stunts like grinding and flipping while racing through intricately designed levels. The game emphasizes quick reflexes and skillful maneuvering, with generous checkpoints allowing players to retry challenging sections without significant penalties. Denshattack! is now available on Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

Korean beauty products are becoming mainstream in the U.S. Why there may be even more growth ahead

Korean beauty retailer Olive Young has made a significant impact in the U.S. market, opening its first store in Pasadena, California, on May 29, 2026, where it welcomed 6,000 customers during its opening weekend. The store averages over 1,600 visitors daily and reflects a broader trend of increasing demand for K-beauty products, with U.S. sales reaching $2.8 billion in early 2026, a 48% increase from the previous year. This surge is attributed to a growing consumer interest in skincare routines and functional products, positioning K-beauty brands for continued growth in the U.S.

Pinecone Introduces Nexus Engine for Compiling Business Context into Structured Data for AI Agents

Pinecone has introduced the Nexus Engine, a knowledge engine designed to transform enterprise data into a structured format that AI agents can query directly. This innovation allows businesses to curate their knowledge once, making it reusable across various agents, which significantly reduces token costs and improves accuracy. In early tests, Nexus demonstrated a 100% completion rate for legal tasks, far exceeding the 6% completion rate of coding agents. Additionally, token spending was reduced by approximately 9–15×, showcasing Nexus's efficiency in handling business context scattered across documents like contracts and meeting notes.

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.

China's new World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization is President Xi's clearest play yet for a parallel AI order

At the World AI Conference in Shanghai, Xi Jinping announced the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WIKO), formed by 29 nations including Russia, Brazil, and South Africa, with no Western countries participating. This organization aims to create a parallel AI governance structure to counter Western influence. Xi also revealed plans to offer 5,000 AI training slots to countries in the Global South over the next five years, while asserting that AI should remain under human control and criticizing U.S. export restrictions on AI technology. China's AI sector is now valued at over 1 trillion renminbi, approximately $140 billion.

Open-weight models now match frontier cyber performance from just four months ago at a fraction of the cost

The British AI Security Institute (AISI) reports that open-weight AI models, including GLM-5.2 and DeepSeek V4-Pro, have significantly narrowed the performance gap with closed systems, now trailing by only four to seven months compared to six to ten months previously. In benchmark tests of 70 cyber tasks, GLM-5.2 matched the performance of Opus 4.6, while DeepSeek V4-Pro performed similarly to Opus 4.5. Despite these advancements, AISI cautions that the ease of access to open models poses risks, as users can bypass safety measures, leaving cyber defenders with less time to prepare for emerging threats.

U.S. military says it has completed the latest round of strikes against Iran, amid more disruptions to shipping

The U.S. military announced the completion of its seventh consecutive night of strikes against Iran, targeting military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities. This escalation comes as Kuwait and Bahrain reported Iranian projectile attacks and ongoing disruptions to commercial shipping in the region. The fragile truce established last month between the U.S. and Iran appears to be deteriorating, with U.S. Central Command enforcing a naval blockade and intercepting multiple vessels to ensure compliance. Iran's Revolutionary Guard has also been active, claiming to have blocked vessels attempting to navigate through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Fine, electric mountain bikes don’t suck

Electric mountain bikes (eMTBs) like the Amflow PX Carbon Pro, equipped with the Avinox M2S motor, are changing perceptions in the biking community. The compact motor offers up to 150Nm of torque, allowing riders to tackle steep climbs with ease while maintaining control. Unlike in the US, where eMTBs can be more powerful, European models are capped at 25km/h and 250W, making them less about speed and more about enhancing the riding experience. This shift is encouraging more riders to enjoy the trails without the intimidation of traditional mountain biking techniques.

The Pentagon's new AI playbook treats slow adoption as a bigger risk than "imperfect alignment"

The Department of the Navy has launched a new strategy to create an 'AI-first' fleet, signed by Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao. This strategy, developed over a year, aims to leverage data and AI for military advantages, emphasizing rapid deployment and decision-making. Central to this initiative is the 'Bits2Effects Cycle,' a five-stage framework designed to streamline data usage in military operations. The strategy also prioritizes the integration of AI systems directly on warships and with Marine Corps units, ensuring functionality even under communication disruptions.

Will AI fix prior authorization—or make it worse?

The Trump administration is piloting an AI-driven prior authorization program in six states to streamline medical care approvals, but concerns persist about potential wrongful denials. A 2025 survey by the American Medical Association found that 61% of physicians fear AI could worsen the situation, as delays in care often lead to patients abandoning recommended treatments. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched the WISeR model, which combines AI with human review to identify unnecessary procedures, but critics argue it may complicate the approval process further and increase administrative burdens for healthcare providers.

Neil Rimer thinks the AI money is coming back out

Neil Rimer, co-founder of Index Ventures, expressed a strong belief in the necessity of wealth redistribution within the tech industry, particularly regarding the burgeoning wealth from AI. Speaking at a tech festival in Athens, he noted that this redistribution could occur voluntarily or involuntarily, emphasizing the role of tech leaders in facilitating it. Rimer, who has stepped back from daily investing, highlighted Index Ventures' impressive track record, having raised around $15 billion and netting approximately $9 billion from significant exits like Figma's IPO and Google's acquisition of Wiz. His comments come amidst declining trends in philanthropy among billionaires, raising questions about the future of wealth distribution in the tech sector.

A 600-mile road trip (and data) proves EV charging doesn’t suck anymore

A recent road trip to Montreal showcased the dramatic improvements in EV charging infrastructure over the past three years. The trip, covering more than 600 miles in an Audi e-tron, featured only three charging stops, each lasting about 20 minutes, with no waiting times. The experience was a stark contrast to a similar trip in 2023, which was marred by broken chargers and lengthy delays. The current landscape includes over 64,000 DC fast chargers across the U.S., with reliability ratings now in the mid-90s, indicating a significant enhancement in the EV charging experience.

The Guardian’s Carter Sherman fondly remembers being terrified by Ocarina of Time

Carter Sherman, a journalist at The Guardian and author of The Second Coming: Sex and the Next Generation’s Fight Over Its Future, shared her nostalgic memories of playing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. In a recent interview, she revealed that the music in the Deku Tree dungeon terrified her as a child, highlighting the game's lasting impact on her. Sherman has a rich background in journalism, having covered critical issues related to sex and gender, and has received multiple awards for her work.

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.

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.

Pixelated 108: Rerun of a rerun

The legal confrontation between Google and Epic Games has wrapped up without a settlement, leaving the door open for third-party app stores to coexist within the Google Play ecosystem. This development could significantly alter how apps are distributed on Android devices. Additionally, the ongoing leaks regarding the Pixel 11 have revealed new insights, particularly highlighting Google's interest in the color green and other design elements. The podcast episode also touches on these topics, providing listeners with the latest updates in the tech landscape.