Handango to sell smartphone apps through Best Buy retail stores

Handango is teaming up with Best Buy to bring smartphone apps to Best Buy’s retail stores nationwide. Through the partnership, Handango will offer Best Buy Mobile customers its content catalogue for Windows Mobile, Blackberry (NSDQ: RIMM), Palm (NSDQ: PALM), and Symbian S60 smartphones. As a result, the apps now can be purchased for specific devices at the point of sale using Best Buy’s in-store digital Mobile Genie system. Additionally, a special version of Best Buy-branded Handango’s In-Hand client will be downloaded directly onto each device so customers can continue to purchase apps even after they leave the store.

Finally, select Best Buy outlets will be offering selection of Mobile App Packs featuring three favorite game titles for popular smartphone platforms, which will be sold on microSD cards, thus eliminating the need for over-the-air or desktop downloads.

It’s an interesting idea and definitely something Handango should pursue, considering the fact that sooner or later every handset maker and/or mobile operator will have a mobile content store of its own.

Commenting on the announcement, Handango’s CEO Bill Stone said: “Customers will now be able to purchase top titles a la carte with simple pricing, have them downloaded and installed by Best Buy Mobile’s expert staff making it easier than ever to personalize their devices.”