14 DAY TRIAL // The mobile retail unit of Best Buy Co., Inc., Best Buy Mobile, has revealed the signing of an agreement with Google for the delivery of Google Mobile App to more customers. According to the company, this way, it becomes the first retailer in the US that partners with Google for the distribution of Google Mobile App on smartphones that are sold in-store.
“We know that consumers want smartphones and, increasingly, they want to use applications,” said Scott Moore, VP of Marketing for Best Buy Mobile. “The challenge is that people still need help understanding what is available to them and how they can bring it to life on their device. This partnership between Best Buy and Google serves that role and will go a long way in bringing applications to more consumers regardless of what device, carrier or platform they use.”
The retailer also announced the Walk Out Working program, a free in-store smartphone setup via which Best Buy Mobile associates will have the Google Mobile App installed on all compatible smartphones. Moreover, a new website is slated for launch as soon as November 9 is here, namely http://www.google.com/bestbuymobile. More details on the site can be found on Google's Mobile Blog.
What the Google Mobile App offers to users includes fast access to Google search from their mobile phones, but other features are also available, including one-click access to Google, which enables users to perform searches without accessing the Internet, search by voice, or Google Suggest that delivers suggested queries. In addition, users will also enjoy My Location, as well as links to Google apps like Google Maps, Gmail, or YouTube.
“We are excited to offer users a new and more personalized way of getting Google on their smartphones,” said Marc Vanlerberghe, Director of Marketing at Google. “While Google Mobile App is available as a free download from m.google.com, often times users run into problems because they don't have the right handset or data plan. Through this agreement, experts at Best Buy Mobile will be available to help users install Google Mobile App on their existing or new smartphone so that they can Walk Out Working.”