MANILA, Philippines -- Last week, technology again played major roles in events considered newsworthy by most media organizations worldwide. On one hand, the events showed how Twitter and similar platforms can spread breaking news fast, much faster than cable and broadcast TV networks used to do.

On the other hand, they also showed how much technology can enhance humans' ability to maim and kill each other.

This corner yearns for the time when humans would finally learn to use technology to improve people's lives.

Kosher and Smart

Israel-based Accel Telecom took an Alcatel T-701 handset and transformed it into a kosher smartphone, one worthy of being certified as such by ultra-Orthodox Jews.

The phone comes with interface menu and services offered in Yiddish, the traditional German-based language used by conservative Jews.

The phone comes loaded with Hassidic folk music ringtones. Its vendor claims that it does not contain anything that can possibly lead its users into temptation.

Bold 9900

Research In Motion Ltd. last week introduced the BlackBerry Bold 9900 smartphone. The phone comes with a keyboard below its 2.8inch screen.

Wii Costs Less

Nintendo plans to reduce by $50 to $149.99 the price of its Wii videogame console, as well as introduce a line of cheaper game titles. Available in either black or white, the cheaper Wii consoles will start selling on May 15.

WP7 Updating Problems II

Again, reports are emerging about apparent updating issues affecting owners of Samsung smartphones running Windows Phone 7.

Microsoft, the reports say, has stopped sending updates to Omnia 7 WP7 phones after a technical problem was discovered.