Another absolutely massive week in technology news came and went, and news came in from all over about new gadgets and general developments in the technology sector. So without further delay, settle in and let's run down the high points of the week that was with our Week in Review coverage!

First, we had a report that suggested that the advertising market for web search on tablets was set to explode, estimated to reach $12 billion by 2017. A combination of factors, including the massive growth of tablet usage as well as the improved ability to perform web searches on these devices, looked to drive a substantial uptick in the amount advertisers were willing to spend on advertising to get in on these searches themselves.

Next came a look at the iPhone 5, and where its primary profit vector is for Apple. As it turns out, the COGS--Cost Of Goods Sold--numbers are what really drive the profit numbers for Apple, with even rough estimates suggesting that Apple is set to make its costs back several times over on every iPhone sold. When the additional profit vectors, like accessories, the App Store and iTunes, are brought into play, the end result is lots of good news for Apple, and lots of sad news for its competitors.

Then we looked at what was, essentially, a modern-day tragedy: broken iPhones. As it turns out, broken iPhones have cost users just short of $6 billion since the release of the original iPhone back in 2007. This has in turn given rise to insurance companies and several industries related to the care and feeding of iPhones. It's also worth considering looking into a good quality iPhone case to help prevent some of the more common causes of iPhone damage, but at the same time, many are beginning to wonder if the newest iPhone will be better protected against damage than its predecessors.

Then we got a look at the idea of how rich communications services could, in turn, bring about new sources of income for those who provide them. Rich communications services can provide a variety of benefits like enhanced messaging services and enhanced calling services that allow for multiple kinds of media to be integrated into a call when it’s made. The idea here is that providing more services for users makes the overall service more valuable, and in turn, worth more in revenue and eventual profit to the service provider.

Finally, there was unexpected news as a hostage situation took on a new and somewhat chilling life thanks to the hostage taker providing an inside look at the hostage situation he'd created. An armed man took hostages, and then began a running dialogue on his Facebook page describing not only how he felt about taking hostages, but also some of why he'd gone to such dramatic lengths in the first place. The full details around the situation aren't yet known, and many of them will likely come to light in the following days, but what is known is disturbing enough.

Technology shapes our lives, in many cases, in ways we can't even begin to expect. With mobile communications improving, but humanity staying much the same, the uses of all that new technology may be unlike anything we've ever seen...or expected. With that in mind, it's always worthwhile to come back here, every week, for the news brought up by our global online community, as well as every weekend for our Week in Review coverage.