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As payback for taking a mild yearlong beating as “the PC” in Apple’s television ads, Apple has worked some sort of backroom publishing deal where they give away sell at a profit John Hodgman’s Book The Areas of My Expertise free via iTunes. I have no idea on what kind of backroom deal it was — for that kind of insight, you’d have to ask a former professional literary agent. Also no news yet if Apple will reward Justin Long with a downloadable season pass for the first two seasons showcasing his exemplary work on “Ed“.

I’ve read the book a while ago, but I listened to the first two hours last night during driving around for a whirlwind Christmas shopping extravaganza. Hodgman performs his work admirably and amiably; the book gains from Hodgman’s personable yet slightly aloof delivery. And it’s free, so seriously, grab it. More unwanted advice: if you’re looking for last minute gift suggestions, I got my dad a Black & Decker Electromate 400, my mom a Brita filter & replacement filters, and my brother a Philips DVD648 DVD/DivX player.

UPDATE: Matthias writes and we are powerless but to take note and obey: the audiobook is no longer a freebie. C’mon, Apple, Kwanzaa is still going strong!

~jeff