Apple news this week slowed to a halt after the momentous previous week that included new Apple hardware and a quarterly financial report.

Rumors continue to build around several subjects, including the mythical tablet device and the end of iPhone AT&T exclusivity. New Tablet rumors center around the possibility that it would be used for reading books and periodicals. Experts continue to speculate on whether the iPhone will be available on other networks, such as Verizon, in the U.S.

Meanwhile, Apple TV may soon be getting an update to version 3.0 of its operating system. A new terms of service agreement given to Apple TV owners states that version 3.0 would allow iTunes LPs and video extras. This makes sense, but one wonders what other new things will be in the third version of the Apple TV OS.

The Magic Mouse, released last week but only available with new iMacs, is now shipping as an individual product. It does not seem to be available yet in retail Apple stores, at least outside of the Cupertino area. But some people have reported getting their from Apple's online store. It is listed as shipping in 5-7 days. At first, the software update required to allow the mouse to work on older Macs was not available, but it can now be downloaded from Apple's site.

Perhaps the biggest news in the Apple world this week doesn't come from Apple or have anything to do with Macs, iPhones or iPods. Microsoft released its new version of Windows, Windows 7, with little fanfare compared to previous releases. How Snow Leopard and Windows 7 compete against each other for market share will be the single biggest factor in the immediate future of Apple's computer market share.

This very useful new feature of Expose and the Dock was missed by many who upgraded to Snow Leopard. If you want to see all the windows of a running application, just click and hold on its icon in the Dock. After a second, Expose will activate and show you the windows of that application. Then just click on a window to bring it to the front. Or, click again on the icon to return to how you were.

Many users never change the iTunes Import Settings, but it is important that you check them out and make sure that iTunes is importing your CDs using a format that you like. The default AAC may not provide the versatility that you need.

Learn the basics about searching for files with Spotlight.

Take a look at the new Magic Mouse from Apple. This wireless mouse features a touch-sensitive trackpad-like surface for scrolling and gestures.

If you like following the latest goings-on at NASA, then the new NASA App for iPhone is your new favorite app. This free app gives you lots of news feeds, pictures, video and other information about all the different missions and programs. So far it has been updated constantly, even with count-downs to launches.

This week the Apple rumor sites are out of control. They are reporting on a mention of an "Apple Slate" by the executive editor of the New York Times. They say that this mention, in a private meeting, is proof that the device exists and is coming soon.