Handango to sell online software in Best Buy stores- huh?
Handango has long been one of the biggest online retailers for software for PDAs and phones. They offer apps for Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Palm and S60 devices. Their announcement details a new deal to sell software in the Best Buy brick and mortar stores. They will have a special branded version of their online store, In-HandT, that will dispense programs using Best Buy’s Mobile Genie point-of-sale system. This will let customers browse and purchase programs which are then downloaded directly to the customer’s device. Kind of like you can do now with Handango’s online store even outside of Best Buy.
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This deal will allow Best Buy the incredible market edge of being able to sell a customer a Nokia N97 and have them leave the store with a bundled copy of Duke Nukem Forever loaded on the phone.
Or sell an N85 with your choice of 100 free digital classic edition ebooks! You just start picking them out sir while I get your new phone activated!
Just what the developer needs, another cut into the profit margin of their work. Last I remember, Handango sliced as much as 45-55% off the listed price. It’s no wonder devs are jumping ship to the iPhone and Android platform in droves.