I guess it was inevitable: In the wake of The New York Times expose on the horrifying working conditions for Apple-product factories, people are talking about a boycott. The LA Times, Forbes, Daily Beast, and other major media outlets are daring to ask the question, should we be boycotting Apple?

So far the boycott has been mostly talk. The only organized effort I've found so far is this Boycott Apple Facebook page. Any other efforts to boycott have been too small and under-the-radar to make much of a difference, yet. But for those of us who are deeply concerned about these working conditions, is a boycott even the best strategy?

This expose The New York Times is doing on working conditions for people who make Apple products is totally killing my iBuzz. For those of us who adore Apple products, there's a visceral thrill in using them: They're aesthetically refined, intuitive, almost seamless ... oh listen to me. If this sort of ga-ga Apple worship is gross, just skip on ahead to where I talk about the horrible iPad factory explosion.

Sigh. So remember when Apple computers used to all come with that cute "Made in Cuptertino, California" note? Now most Apple products are made in China -- and in what reporters are saying are grim mega-factories of the sort Americans would never tolerate. It's so gruesome, it's sapping my enjoyment of using the Apple products we own.

The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is the biggest gadget show in the world, featuring miles and miles of some of the coolest gizmos you've ever seen. This year there were plenty of cool things for parents, and I wanted to highlight a few just for fun.

Filmmaker Casey Neistadt's New York Times public service video on texting while walking is cute and informative, but I totally knew all of this stuff already. I know texting while walking is dangerous, New York Bossytimes. You don't have to tell me it's rude, either, because I get that message loud and clear every time I go walking and texting see other people walk and text on the streets. 

Um, hold on while I check this (tap tap tap tap). Okay -- what were you saying? Oh, me? Right, texting and walking, super dangerous. Okay, seriously though -- I am so guilty of this. GIL T. (Pretty sure that the correct text spelling.) I mean, I'm just as likely to actually be Google-Mapping while walking, but yeah, the temptation to seek guidance and conversation while walking is almost too great to resist.

The 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) -- which is pretty much like Oscars season at the movies or Fashion Week in the world of haute couture -- is going on right now, and one of the coolest items to make its debut there is a solar-powered Kindle cover. And believe me when I say this isn't just some kooky accessory only a techphile geek could love. It's a revolution, baby! Or at least, it should be.  

Invented by a Taiwan-based company called SolarFocus, the case exclusively fits the fourth-generation Kindle, but it should be available for the Kindle Touch in the spring, they say. But back to the revolution part ... How would you like to never have to tinker around with annoying chargers and USB cords to charge your Kindle again? How about never having to charge any gadget -- smartphone, tablet, GPS, etc. -- again?

I never really do anything crazy with my iPad besides play Angry Birds every once in a while and surf the Internet. However, if I ever have the urge to think outside of the box and drop it from more than 100,000 feet -- I now know which case I should put it in first.

The head honchos at G-Form came up with the brilliant idea to road test their Extreme Edge iPad case by dropping it from space. Yes, I'm serious. After putting the iPad in their case and tying it to a balloon-looking object, testers watched the device float up, up, and away, and waited for it to tumble back toward Earth.

Can a case that only costs $44.95 actually protect a tablet from that sorta drop? Trust me, this is an experiment that you've literally got to see to believe:

Everyone has books they read back in grade school that left a lasting effect on them. In my case, Fahrenheit 451 was one of those. For years author Ray Bradbury was against the eTimes, refusing to allow his prized book to be released in e-book format. And why should he have to? Just cause the times are changin'? The author once told The Paris Review: 

"Those aren't books. You can't hold a computer in your hand like you can a book. A computer does not smell ... A book has got to smell. You have to hold it in your hands and pray to it ... And it stays with you forever. But the computer doesn't do that for you. I'm sorry."

Welp. Yesterday, Bradbury caved. The e-edition of Bradbury's book became available yesterday on Kindle and Nook for just $9.99. 

If this isn't a sign that we officially live in an e-world, I don't know what is.

We're always so used to looking for the lowest prices when buying electronics (especially so close to Black Friday and Cyber Monday). But the thing to keep in mind this time of year is that the reason many electronic items are on sale is that the manufacturers are making room for new stock. Sure, you can grab a Blu-Ray player for $100 after fighting off hordes of zombie shoppers, but is it worth it?

Here are a few insider tips I recommend that folks remember when buying electronics this year.