Best Buy

The popular Napster streaming and download music service won't be coming to Apple's iPhone via the App Store per a mocoNews report. According to the story, a rep from Napster said the service, which would be offered at Best Buy stores, is not being sent out for Apple approval because of the high licensing fees involved which would force Napster to charge too much for its service.

Acording to Apple Insider, people familiar with Best Buy's plans say they will continue offering Geek Squad's Black Tie Protection insurance service with the iPhone 3G S, which covers most technical problems, as well as drops, broken screens, spills and other accidental damage that isn't covered by other stores, and even entitles the user to a temporary stand-in phone in the event that theirs can't be fixed or replaced on the spot.

It was only a few months ago that big-box retailer Best Buy started selling the iPhone 3G. This was a big surprise as they were the first retailer to sell the iPhone outside the realm of AT&T and Apple. Today, however, PCWorld notes that BestBuy is at it again.

After checking out the iPhone 3G display at my local Best Buy, I spoke with one of the employees in the cell phone department. At some point during our conversation, he mentioned that Best Buy also offers insurance on the iPhone 3G. According to the employee, the iPhone 3G is covered under the same product replacement plan (now called "Geek Squad Black Tie Protection") as other phones sold at Best Buy. It's a bit pricier than others at $15 a month, but it does cover everything including accidental damage. Theft, loss and water damage are not covered.

The only caveat is that Best Buy will only cover iPhones purchased at Best Buy.

iPhone 3Gs went on sale at Best Buy stores across the United States last night, making it the first company in the nation to offer the device other than the service provider AT&T or manufacturer Apple Inc. It is suspected that the agreement between the two companies was an attempt to relieve the long lines at Apple and AT&T stores.

BestBuy has officially announced that they will be selling the iPhone 3G in the United States starting on September 7th. Rumors that Best Buy was interested in operating as an iPhone reseller started a year ago, followed by rumors this June that Apple had sealed deals with Best Buy and Radio Shack.

BGR heard a rumor recently that Apple has secured deals with both Best Buy and Radio Shack to sell the iPhone in the US. There have been rumors that Best Buy might get the iPhone for some time, but they never came to fruition. Both seem somewhat less likely with the iPhone 3G announcement as well, given that in-store activation is being required in order to purchase one of the devices. Apple also lists only Apple Stores and AT&T stores as locations where an iPhone 3G can be purchased when it launches.