Today was the deadline for Google to reveal how it’s complying with Judge James Donato’s order to crack open Android for third-party app stores, stop illegally tying its Google Play Billing system to its app store, and let developers link to ways to download their apps outside the Play Store in the US.
Technology
Hydrogen fuel cell trucks hit the roads in Georgia
Imagine a future where trucks zip along highways without leaving a trail of pollution behind them. That future is becoming a reality, thanks to Benore Logistic Systems Inc., which has just added 14 Hyundai Xcient hydrogen-powered trucks to its fleet in Savannah, Georgia. This move showcases Benore’s commitment to sustainability and also positions the company as a trailblazer in the adoption of green technologies for freight transportation.
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Hyundai Xcient hydrogen-powered trucks (Benore Logistic Systems) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
A bold step toward sustainability
Benore Logistic Systems’ journey into hydrogen-powered logistics began with a small but significant step in 2022, when it rolled out its first four fuel cell trucks. Building on that success, the company has now expanded its fleet with these additional 14 trucks. They’re operating on dedicated routes in Savannah, serving the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, a facility that’s all about clean logistics operations. These trucks offer an impressive all-electric range of nearly 250 miles, marking a significant leap forward in sustainable transportation.
Dennis Kunz, vice president of revenue strategy and operation development at Benore, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “These hydrogen fuel cell trucks represent a significant step forward for Benore and our ability to deliver innovative, sustainable logistics solutions.”
It’s clear that Benore is serious about making a positive impact on the environment.
EXPLORING HYDROGEN-POWERED VEHICLES FOR THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION
Strategic partnerships driving innovation
The deployment of these trucks is part of a broader collaboration between Benore, Hyundai Motor Group and HTWO Logistics, a joint venture between Hyundai and Glovis America. Hyundai manufactures the trucks, HTWO oversees deployment, and Benore manages daily logistics to ensure seamless operations for the Glovis EV contract. This partnership shows just how committed Benore is to delivering innovative, sustainable solutions that align with its Just-In-Time and Just-In-Sequence operations.
Hyundai Xcient hydrogen-powered trucks (Benore Logistic Systems) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
HYDROGEN-POWERED RESCUE TRUCK JUST SMASHED A WORLD RECORD AND IT ONLY SPITS OUT WATER
Infrastructure supporting hydrogen logistics
To support this initiative, HydroFleet has invested $33 million in a hydrogen production and refueling hub near Savannah’s busy container port. This facility will initially refuel up to 14 trucks daily and scale up to 50 trucks per day in the future. Such infrastructure investments are crucial for expanding hydrogen-powered freight solutions across the region.
Industry trends and challenges
Benore’s adoption of hydrogen-powered trucks aligns with a growing industry trend, joining other major players like Werner and DHL Supply Chain in embracing this clean technology. Hyundai has emerged as North America’s leading supplier of hydrogen fuel cell trucks, maintaining momentum despite setbacks faced by competitors such as Hyzon and Nikola. The increasing interest in hydrogen technology stems from its substantial potential to reduce emissions, with each Class 8 truck capable of eliminating over 400 metric tons of CO2 annually.
However, the transition to hydrogen fuel cell trucks is not without its hurdles. High initial costs pose a significant barrier, particularly for smaller companies, due to expensive fuel cell technology and specialized hydrogen storage systems. The slow development of hydrogen fueling infrastructure remains a critical challenge, impeding widespread adoption. Additionally, the current hydrogen production landscape, dominated by methane-based processes, falls short of the desired environmental benefits.
Technological refinement is ongoing, with continued testing needed to verify range estimates, assess performance across various conditions, and address maintenance issues affecting fueling station uptime. Achieving cost parity with diesel fuel is crucial for mass adoption, with estimates suggesting hydrogen needs to reach $4-$5 per kilogram to compete with diesel at $3-$4 per gallon.
Despite these obstacles, the potential for significant emissions reduction continues to drive interest and investment in hydrogen fuel cell technology for the trucking industry. As companies like Benore lead the way, the sector watches closely to see how these early adopters navigate the challenges and pave the way for a cleaner future in heavy-duty transportation.
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Hyundai Xcient hydrogen-powered truck (Benore Logistic Systems) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Hydrogen-powered vehicles: Addressing questions and challenges
Hydrogen-powered vehicles have ignited interest in their potential to revolutionize transportation. However, their adoption raises critical questions about cost, environmental impact, safety and infrastructure. Below is a summary of key insights and challenges based on expert analysis.
Cost and feasibility
- High production costs: Hydrogen currently costs about $16.51 per gallon equivalent compared to diesel at $4.62, with significant energy (8,410 kWh) required for production.
- Energy efficiency concerns: Scaling hydrogen production to reduce costs remains a major challenge.
Environmental impact
- Green vs. gray hydrogen: While green hydrogen (produced via renewable energy) offers near-zero emissions, most hydrogen today is derived from fossil fuels (gray or blue hydrogen), which emit CO2 during production.
- Water vapor emissions: Though water vapor is a byproduct, its localized warming effects are minimal compared to CO2.
Safety considerations
- Flammability risks: Modern hydrogen storage tanks are designed to withstand extreme impacts, but public concerns about safety persist due to historical incidents like the Hindenburg disaster.
- Emergency protocols: Innovations in tank durability and emergency response systems are crucial for public trust.
Performance in extreme conditions
- Hydrogen vehicles perform well across various temperatures but face challenges such as freezing water vapor emissions in cold climates. Integrated heating systems may mitigate these issues.
Infrastructure and Logistics
- Distribution challenges: Hydrogen requires specialized storage and refueling infrastructure. Converting existing gas stations could lower costs, but widespread adoption demands significant investment.
- Remote refueling solutions: Portable hydrogen generators are being developed to address refueling in isolated areas.
Comparison with electric vehicles (EVs)
- Hydrogen vehicles offer faster refueling times and lighter energy storage compared to EVs. However, hydrogen production is more energy-intensive, while EV batteries face sustainability concerns due to rare earth mining and recycling issues.
Broader barriers
- Economic and political hurdles, including high initial infrastructure costs and lobbying by traditional energy sectors, remain significant barriers to mass adoption.
Next steps for research
Key areas for future exploration include:
- Lifecycle emissions analysis to identify sustainable production methods
- Innovations in safety protocols for hydrogen storage
- Expanding hydrogen refueling infrastructure
- Scaling production to make hydrogen cost-competitive with fossil fuels and EVs
Hydrogen-powered vehicles represent a promising step toward sustainable transportation. However, their success hinges on overcoming economic, environmental and logistical challenges through innovation and collaboration.
BIG RIGS DELIVER CARGO WITH NO HUMANS AT THE WHEEL
Kurt’s key takeaways
Benore Logistic Systems’ expansion into hydrogen-powered trucking is more than just a business move; it’s a statement about the future of logistics. By embracing cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices, Benore is setting an example for others in the industry. As Kunz aptly put it, these initiatives pave the way toward cleaner transportation solutions that benefit both the planet and future generations. With Savannah as a hub for innovation, this partnership marks a promising chapter in green logistics evolution. It’ll be interesting to see where this will take us.
Do you think the potential benefits of hydrogen fuel cell trucks, such as zero emissions and faster refueling, could outweigh their current challenges, or are they destined to remain a niche technology? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Even at $1,000, the Xbox Ally X handheld didn’t ship with magnetic drift-resistant joysticks, and neither did the $600 model. But for an extra $20 at Amazon, you can change that today — with officially Asus-approved and sanctioned TMR joysticks from Gulikit, the company that’s made a name for itself by supplying aftermarket drift-resistant sticks.
The company says it worked with Xbox Ally manufacturer Asus to create these sticks, that they’ll be “automatically recognized” when you swap them in, and that you can use the handheld’s built-in Armoury Crate app to calibrate them afterwards.
And while I haven’t tried these ones (I do have a pair in my Switch), I can confirm it’s pretty easy to pop open the Xbox Ally to install. Just loosen the Philips-head screws, poke in a guitar pick pry tool to create a small gap, and pull a little harder than you think you need to pop open the clips. The joystick modules are right underneath. There’s nothing blocking you — just pop a ribbon cable and undo their three screws.
Here’s the company’s walkthrough in case you want to see for yourself — though I do not recommend taking sharp tweezers to ribbon cables when your fingernails can do that job safer and easier. (I may have broken a few ribbon cables in my life.)
When we’re talking about TMR or the older and slightly less power-efficient Hall effect joystick technology, I usually write “drift-resistant” instead of “drift-free” because you may find your center point drifting over time — but the beauty of magnetic is you just have to recalibrate! Unlike the potentiometer joysticks that ship with Nintendo, Sony PlayStation, and Microsoft Xbox controllers, you’re not scraping away material that’ll lead to permanent drift as you use the magnetic versions.
Gulikit’s new Xbox Ally sticks are $20 in the US today, and should also be available in the UK for £20, and in Italy, France, and Spain for €22, this January.
Shyam Sankar, chief technology officer of Palantir Technologies Inc., speaks at the Hill & Valley forum at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on April 30, 2025. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images )
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.
IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:
– AI fuels blue-collar productivity boom across manufacturing, Palantir technology chief tells FOX Business
– New exoskeleton adapts to terrain with smart AI power
– Purdue becomes first university to require AI competency for all undergrads as universities race to adapt
RISE OF MACHINES: Palantir Chief Technology Officer Shyam Sankar told FOX Business artificial intelligence is fueling a blue-collar productivity boom, not mass unemployment as forecast by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Sankar said AI is accelerating hiring, training and American industrial growth.
SMART STEPS: Recreational exoskeletons have been popping up for years, but the new IRMO M1 exoskeleton feels like a turning point. This next-generation wearable blends artificial intelligence (AI), a forward-facing camera, LADAR sensors and lightweight robotics to give your legs a serious boost on trails and city streets.
With training and assist modes, the M1 adapts to your goals whether you want more power or more strength. (IRMO)
EDUCATION REWIRED: Purdue University has announced a new “AI working competency” requirement, the first of its kind at an institution of higher learning, for all undergraduate students on their main campus, Indianapolis and West Lafayette, to complete starting in 2026.
‘DISPARATE IMPACT’: White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks called out blue states Tuesday for inserting “woke” ideology into artificial intelligence as the Trump administration moves to cut what he described as “unnecessary” regulations on the rapidly developing technology.
EYES TO THE FUTURE: Artificial intelligence (AI) is charging into a new phase in 2026 – one that could reshape business operations, global competition and even which workers thrive, according to Goldman Sachs’ Chief Information Officer Marco Argenti.
Artificial intelligence enters a new phase in 2026 that could reshape business operations, global competition and workforce outcomes, according to Goldman Sachs Chief Information Officer Marco Argenti. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid)
‘MORE USABLE’: OpenAI announced an update for ChatGPT Images that it says drastically improves both the generation speed and instruction-following capability of its image generator. A blog post from the company Tuesday says the update will make it much easier to make precise edits to AI-generated images. Previous iterations of the program have struggled to follow instructions and often make unasked-for changes.
HANDS-FREE TECH: Chrome on Android now offers a fresh way to digest information when your hands are busy or your eyes need a break. A new update powered by Google Gemini can turn written webpages into short podcast-style summaries. Two virtual hosts chat about the content, making it feel easier to follow during your commute or while you multitask.
DESANTIS VS. TRUMP: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, said on Monday that state officials have the right to regulate artificial intelligence despite President Trump’s recent executive order aiming to require a national AI standard the president argues would overrule state laws.
TECH FORCE: The Trump administration launched a new initiative Monday aimed at recruiting top-tier technical talent to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) at the federal level. The hiring program, known as “Tech Force,” plans to recruit roughly 1,000 early-career technologists for a two-year service term across various federal agencies.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, says state officials have authority to regulate artificial intelligence despite President Trump’s executive order seeking a national AI standard he says would override state laws. (Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
HOME RUN: Baseball teams have long searched for a way to study the entire swing without sensors or complex lab setups. Today, a new solution is entering the picture. Theia, an AI biomechanics company, debuted a commercially available video-only system that analyzes bat trajectory and full-body biomechanics together. This new approach works in real baseball environments and needs no reflective body markers, wearables or special equipment.
POLICING PUSH: Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., helped advocate for the AI Civil Rights Act last week in order to prevent companies from using what Democrats describe as “biased and discriminatory AI-powered algorithms.”
PRICING GAP : Instacart is using AI-enabled pricing experiments that are substantially raising the prices of identical products for different customers, according to an investigation by Consumer Reports and Groundwork Collaborative.
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But Google isn’t just letting app developers do things however and whenever they’d like. The company’s quietly updated its support pages with a January 28th deadline to enroll in specific Google programs for “alternative billing” and “external content links” — and these programs will come with large alternative fees of their own, assuming Judge Donato doesn’t opt for Epic and Google’s proposed settlement instead.
While it isn’t collecting fees yet, Google says it will charge developers $2.85 for every app and $3.65 for every game a user installs within 24 hours of clicking a link that takes you outside Google’s app store to download them outside the Google ecosystem.
Plus, it’ll take a 20 percent cut of any in-app purchases and 10 percent of any auto-renewing subscriptions. Apps still need to be submitted to Google for review, use a Google API to track them, and developers have to report all transactions (including $0 free trials) if they want to participate.
Meanwhile, developers who want to offer their own billing solutions will only get a 5 percent discount compared to Google’s current fees, likely making it not worth the effort to try alternative billing at all. Google will charge 25 percent for in-app purchases and 10 percent for auto-renewing subscriptions there; devs will need to integrate a Google API to track those, and report all transactions within 24 hours.
The company will cap some of these fees at 10 percent of a developer’s first $1 million of earnings, making it a bit easier for small developers, but perhaps no easier than it is currently. Google already offers a similar cap at 15 percent, so this too is a 5 percent discount.
How will Judge James Donato react? When Apple told Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers it would require a 27 percent fee for external payments in the parallel Epic v. Apple case, she found Apple in contempt of court, and an appeals court backed up that decision just days ago. However, the appeals court did suggest that Apple may be able to collect some fee, writing that:
Apple should be able to charge a commission on linked-out purchases based on the costs that are genuinely and reasonably necessary for its coordination of external links for linked-out purchases, but no more.
Google currently claims that “the fees associated with the external content links program reflect the value provided by Android and Play and support our continued investments across Android and Play.”
But Google also says it won’t collect any fees quite yet, writing:
In the future, Google intends to apply a service fee on successful transactions and downloads completed via external content links. At this time, however, Google is not assessing these fees and is therefore not requiring developers in this program to report these transactions or downloads to Google.
In their joint progress report today, Epic and Google’s lawyers write that while Epic agrees with the January 28th deadline and other requirements, “Epic has indicated that it opposes the service fees that Google announced it may implement in the future and that Epic will challenge these fees if they come into effect.”
Of course, none of this will come to pass if Judge Donato accepts Google and Epic’s proposed settlement instead, which would generally apply worldwide (instead of just in the US) and comes with lower standard transaction fees.
But Google signaled that settlement, too, would come with fees on alternative billing and external app downloads, and Judge Donato seemed skeptical of the settlement in November. He’s ordered an evidentiary hearing on January 22nd before he makes a decision.
Since Google’s support pages seem to be fluid as Epic v. Google continues, we’ve archived copies of their current text below.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
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