MANILA, Philippines - Intolerance rules both sides of the aisle.

These days, more than ever, taking the middle of the road or any non-extremist side can be fatal. Politicians kill and get killed over points of view they held steadfastly so. Soldiers and rebels have never been so dedicated to their calling – maim and kill or be maimed and killed themselves.

People kill for their gods as if their gods were not strong enough to fend for themselves. Governments kill and repress their peoples just to prolong their moments in power. Gods and governments that kill, do we really need them?

Maybe, if we are addicts for holes in the head.

The IT world is no less competitive and cloak-and-dagger. But at least in the world of gadgets and electronic devices, these new shiny toys and tools offer some degree of comfort.

Seeing these laptops, tablet computers, smartphones, and all those contraptions inane and sensible both, not only brings some much needed smile and sunlight. It also reassures us that amidst these bombings, assassinations, murders, and other mayhems, humanity still have what it takes to create good.

CeBIT 2011

The 2011 edition of the world's biggest tech-industry show, CeBIT, gathered once more hundreds of thousands of IT fans, analysts, and executives in Hanover, Germany. And like its previous versions, this year's show featured some ingenious and some not so sensible electronic toys and creations.

There was a Shakespeare-reciting robot, an alarm clock that was possible the world's most heartless, and an intelligent and non-intrusive bartender.

Of course, the usual new and shiny computers, mobile phones, and geeky toys were there too.

Android Virus

Operating systems may come and go, but the desire to wreak havoc and benefit from the resulting confusion and chaos remains constant.

There will always be people, who perhaps in their childhood were not given enough affection, and care and have turned into cretins whose sole delight comes from creating malware.

And cause trouble for the rest of us mankind.

Anyway, just when consumers thought it safe to use their smartphones and their favorite apps, along come these scoundrels and their brews specifically designed for the Android-loving gadgets.

Recently, Google had to remove a lot of apps from the Android App Market after these apps were discovered to contain malware.

Water is Power

Nope. That is not a water-conservation slogan.

Anyway, SiGNa Chemistry Inc. has developed a hydrogen-producing cartridge that comes with a pocket-sized fuel cell designed to charge mobile devices, such as smartphones and MP3 players. The technology behind the mobile-H2 device, to which users add water (any kind of water will do), enables it to generate power and charge electronic devices.

Cool. The cartridge contains sodium and sodium silicide. Normally when sodium metal gets too intimate with water and produces hydrogen, some serious explosions occur.

SiGNa's technology, however, ensures that this chemical interaction produces energy without too much, er, noise.

That's all for the meantime, folks. Join me again next time as we keep on watching IT.