Okay, Einstein, let's see what you think is worth hearing. Huh. Well, that's actually pretty smart. Apple adds intelligence to building playlists that match up disparate interests in iTunes with its Genius feature. iTunes 8 sports a new interface for organizing and viewing music, and the iTunes Store brings high-definition television shows - and the return of TV shows from NBC.

The best parts of Apple events for some of us are when Steve runs the numbers: how many iPods have been sold, how many songs are in the iTunes Store, and how something new (like App Store downloads) has blown away expectations. Here's the current list.

Apple will be announcing something - likely updated iPods - tomorrow in San Francisco. Check the TidBITS Web site for our coverage of Apple's special event, and our thoughts on how the announcements may make up for Apple's recent missteps.

Notable software releases so far this week include Dialectic 1.2, Sandvox 1.5, Simon 2.4.2, PCalc 3.3, Sound Studio 3.5.7 and Tinderbox 4.5.

Google has quietly released Gears support for Safari, making it possible to use Google Docs even when you're not connected to the Internet. Learn how to install, configure, and use Google Gears with Safari.

Notable software releases so far this week include Final Cut Express 4.0.1, VMware Fusion 2.0 RC1, Apple ProRes QuickTime Decoder 1.0, Coda 1.5, and RapidWeaver 4.1.1.

Notable software releases so far this week include the MacBook Air Update, Mactracker 5.0.4 and Keyboard Maestro 3.4.

The iPhone spreads further across the globe, as Apple launches it in 21 more countries.

MobileMe's Web interface doesn't use SSL to protect your communications, a major security blunder. But iCal, Mail, and iChat default to secure connections.

Notable software releases so far this week include iPhone 2.0.2, Inquisitor 3.2, WireTap Anywhere 1.0.1, TextExpander 2.4, and Airfoil for Windows 2.6.

Nancy Heinen, once Apple's general counsel, will pay $2.2 million to settle charges raised over Apple's handling of backdated stock options.

It's almost certainly unrelated, but email services from both Apple and Google went dark today for several hours.

Sky Dayton leaves EarthLink, the company he founded 14 years ago as one of the first providers of Internet service to the masses.

Notable software releases so far this week include iPhone 2.0.1 and Nisus Writer Express 3.1.

VMware has released the second public beta of VMware Fusion 2, adding features to the Unity Mac-Windows integration technology, virtual machine snapshots, better video performance, support for Leopard Server, and more.