Best Buy Mobile Announces Partnership with Google to Co-Market Google Mobile App

Best Buy Mobile, the mobile specialty retail unit of Best Buy Co., Inc., today announced a retail partnership with Google™ that will help bring Google Mobile App to consumers and expand their mobile experiences. Best Buy is the first retailer in the U.S. to work with Google to distribute Google Mobile App on smartphones 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.”

Google Mobile App makes it fast and easy to search Google from your mobile phone. Key features include:
• One-click access to Google - search Google without having to navigate to the internet
• Search by voice - speak your query in plain English
• My Location - search for local businesses without having to type your current location
• Google Suggest - search for suggested queries and businesses that appear as you type
• Links to other Google apps including Google Maps™, Gmail™, 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."

Best Buy Mobile associates will install Google Mobile App on all compatible smartphones through the Walk Out Working program which is a free in-store smartphone setup. Google will announce this additional method of getting Google Mobile App on its Mobile Blog (http://googlemobile.blogspot.com [1]) and will provide more information on a new web site, (http://www.google.com/bestbuymobile [2]), scheduled to launch November 9.

“This relationship is an opportunity for both Google and Best Buy Mobile to provide consumers with better access to innovative applications like Google Mobile App,” said Moore. “Going beyond simply selling mobile phones, working with ground-breaking companies like Google allows Best Buy Mobile to improve the buying experience and deliver against its customer promise of being there through the life of the phone”

Best Buy Mobile has become a leading destination for smartphone purchases, because of the promise it makes to customers: better choice of phones and networks; impartial, informed advice; straightforward pricing; and someone to be there for the life of the phone.

About Best Buy Mobile

Best Buy Mobile features one of the largest selections of carriers, handsets and accessories available anywhere, as well as a highly-trained staff to help customers make the most of their mobile phones. Best Buy Mobile locations feature more than 90 different handsets from nine carriers, and over 130 accessories. Employees undergo at least 80 hours of intensive training, as well as continuing education on mobile phone technology and trends. Look for your mobile phone solution at Best Buy Mobile locations in every Best Buy store as well as in standalone stores nationwide.

About Best Buy Co., Inc.

With operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, China and Mexico, Best Buy is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products and services with a commitment to growth and innovation. The Best Buy family of brands and partnerships collectively generates more than $45 billion in annual revenue and includes brands such as Best Buy; Audiovisions; The Carphone Warehouse; Future Shop; Geek Squad, Jiangsu Five
Star; Magnolia Audio Video; Napster; Pacific Sales; The Phone House; and Speakeasy. Approximately 155,000 employees apply their talents to help bring the benefits of these brands to life for customers through retail locations, multiple call centers and Web sites, in-home solutions, product delivery and activities in our communities. Community partnership is central to the way we do business at Best Buy. In fiscal 2009, we donated a combined $33.4 million to improve the vitality of the communities where our employees and customers live and work. For more information about Best Buy, visit www.bestbuy.com [3].