Best Buy Mobile associates will now help consumers download the Google Mobile application thanks to a new partnership.

The partnership between Best Buy Mobile and Google will make the various versions of the Google application available in Best Buy stores in the United States. Best Buy is the first retailer in the United States to work with Google to distribute the application on smartphones sold in-store.

?You may have noticed that one of the best ways to discover new applications for your phone is through a face-to-face dialog with another person,? said Andy Mathis and Lawrence Chang, strategic partnerships and product marketing at Google Mobile, in a blog post.

Best Buy Mobile features more than 90 different handsets from nine carriers and more than 130 accessories. Best Buy Mobile has standalone locations, as well as a dedicated section in each Best Buy retail location.

Ford Motor Co. recently teamed with Best Buy to promote its new Sync technology at Best Buy Mobile stores. It is available for various smartphone platforms including the iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile devices, Nokia S60 and Android.

The partnership is in an effort to build brand awareness for Ford?s Sync in more than 30 stores in Texas throughout the month. Nationwide expansion is planned for next year (see story).

The Google Mobile application lets consumers search by voice and with My Location.

My Location finds the consumer?s location with so when they search ?diner? or ?pizza? for example, the results will be formatted for nearby businesses.

Consumers can also access Google Search, Maps and Gmail via the application.

The Google Mobile applications are free across the various mobile devices for which it is available and can be downloaded via the various application storefronts or at http://m.google.com.

In-store live demonstrations of the Google Mobile application are given by Best Buy associates.

Consumers that have a BlackBerry, Windows Mobile or a Nokia S60 device can get help installing the application onto their smartphone.

The application gives consumers search results for the mobile Web, images, local, video, news, blogs and maps.

The results are formatted for the mobile device and include click-to-call and expandable map links when available.

A consumer?s search query history is also saved.

Best Buy Mobile will also put the application on consumers? just-purchased mobile handsets free of charge.

?And if you're in the market to buy a new phone, they will help you install the application as part of their Walk Out Working program,? Mr. Mathis and Mr. Chang said.