Remember the pre-Macworld buzz about a $99 iPhone 3G? Well, how about a $99.99 iPhone 3G?

Several sharp-eyed TUAW readers have let us know about a deal that Best Buy is offering for Reward Zone members. If you're a Reward Zone Premier Silver member, you can buy an 8GB iPhone 3G for US$99.99 through February 28th. The 16GB model is available for US$199.99. If you're a regular Reward Zone member, you pay just US$50 more for your iPhone 3G -- US$149.99 for 8GB, US$249.99 for 16GB.

Best Buy notes that you must be an existing Reward Zone member as of February 21, 2009, to take advantage of the special pricing, so you can't sign up for the program today and expect to get the discount. A two-year activation is required as well. If you're eligible and interested in getting a new iPhone 3G for a penny less than US$100, click the "Source" link below for details.

AppleInsider, MediaBistro and more are all pointing to some sweet Best Buy discounts on Apple products for Black Friday weekend that include laptop and desktop computers. Sale prices are good online and in-store.

Best Buy apparently stocked up on inventory to support the event. Apple employees will also be staffing Best Buy locations to push sales. The four-day sale extends from Sunday until Wednesday. (Thanks, Michel.)

Also of note: Apple retail stores will match other authorized retailers' advertised prices. According to ifoAppleStore, if you supply proof of the competitor's pricing (like Best Buy's circular), Apple retail employees have the authority to approve a discount matching that price.

If that weren't enough, as Cory mentioned earlier, Apple will also be having its own online Black Friday promotion.

After the jump, discounts ahoy!

Maybe this is a coincidence, coming as it does on the eve of a big Apple announcement... it could be meaningless, just regularly scheduled inventory maintenance, the BB version of the yellow sticky note. Sure, that's probably it -- nothing to see here. Yeah. No reason at all to think that Best Buy's website downtime could have anything, really, to do with the anticipated introduction of new Apple laptops tomorrow... right?

As if our conspiracy generators weren't already in full gear: suppose it is related. Could Best Buy be getting an exclusive deal on the $900 laptop outside of Apple's own stores? [Note that many sites are now reporting the "$899 MacBook" may in fact be a Cinema Display.]

Thanks to Horza for the tip

You've seen the Geek Squad with their fancy Volkswagens, spiffy ties and shiny, orange buttons. You've also seen the Apple Geniuses walking around with their crisp T-shirts, swell ID badges and all that knowledge.

They're both cool (for professional nerds), but who's happier? According to Glassdoor Blog, it's the Geniuses. They make more money on average and spoke better of their work environments in recent satisfaction surveys. Plus, who wouldn't choose to wear jeans and a T-shirt to work over a shirt and tie?

Actually, I kind of like the Geek Squad uniforms. They're a cross between Men In Black and Waldo from the Hot For Teacher video. But ... nerdier.

If you are looking for an iPhone 3G to spend your money on (and who isn't), look no further than your local BestBuy. Last night, BestBuy stores around the country started selling their newly acquired stock of iPhone 3Gs. This deal between Apple and the big-box giant was most likely a strategy to relieve the long waits at AT&T/Apple Stores.

We at TUAW do have a question: Does this change your iPhone buying habits? Will you buy an iPhone at BestBuy, or will you continue to buy at the Apple Store? We want to know, so take part in our poll and chat about in the comments.


Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

MacNN is reporting that US big box store Best Buy will begin selling iPhones on September 7th. The move could help reduce the long lines that are still developing at Apple and AT&T stores. You may remember a rumor about this last month.

Best Buy has been slowly developing a retail relationship with Apple. A few years ago, certain locations were given Mac minis to sell. That program has matured to the "mini stores" in place today. AppleInsider suggests that a major overhaul of the mobile phone departments at all Best Buy locations was the step that finally convinced Apple to hand over the iPhone.

So, will Best Buy move many iPhones? I still encounter much anti-Apple sentiment from hardcore Windows lovers, and big electronics stores can be an epicenter for that type of thing. However, it seems to be reserved to Apple's computers.

My hope is that the staff is well trained, as I'm sure we all remember the unpleasant experience of shopping for Macs at Circuit City several years ago.

Boy Genius Report is reporting that Apple may allow sales of the iPhone at BestBuy and RadioShack retail stores in the U.S. This, of course, is in addition to it being sold at Apple and AT&T stores.

This would be the first time since the iPhone's introduction that a third-party reseller would be able to sell the iPhone. These rumors are definitely unconfirmed at this point so we don't know if this will happen in time for the retail giants to get in on the July 11th introduction sale.

[via MacNN]

Several readers have written to let us know that Apple's Time Capsule is listed in the current Best Buy flyer. It is scheduled for a February release, so this could mean that we'll see it in stores this week.

If any TUAW readers visit a Best Buy this week, let us know if you find a Time Capsule on the shelves, and if you buy one!

Thanks, to everyone who sent this in!

We've heard about them, and now Ian sends us his Flickr tour of the "Apple shop" inside a Best Buy. It's a weird combination-- Apple's elegance with Best Buy's garish discount electronics warehouse look-- but from what we've heard, it works.

Would you buy an Apple from Best Buy? Ian says the nearest Apple store is 15 miles away, so for actually buying and purchasing a Mac, I'd rather go to the Genius Bar. But of course this store isn't meant for me (even though I do buy games and electronics at Best Buy)-- it's meant for Windows folks coming in to get a new PC, and reconsidering for the purchase of an iMac.

The problem with that is that Apple doesn't compete on price, and Best Buy does (ironically enough, Ian points out that Best Buy's plans are actually more expensive than AppleCare). Apple competes on the pleasure of the UI and usability-- that's why Apple stores work so well, because the whole transaction is designed around using the item. Still, making their computers accessible and open like this even at Best Buy (as much as possible, anyway-- the place looks a little cramped) is a start at reaching the unwashed Windows masses and enticing them into a better world.

Canada's Best Buy* website has posted a page (littered with typographical and grammatical errors) that interested Canadian shoppers can use to sign up for email notification of iPhone availability. So, it looks like the iPhone will be available at Best Buy in Canada, once it launches.

Now someone get a copy editor on that ad, mmkay?

*Best Buy is a big box electronics store in the US and Canada.

Thanks, Grant!

A few weeks ago, we wrote about Apple's plan to expand their presence in Best Buy stores (Best Buy is a big box electronics store here in the US) in 2007. Now, some of these store-with-a-store "boutiques" are beginning to appear, and they look great. The Macs are prominently displayed on their own minimalist set up, all running and ready to go. PB | Central says of the setup:

"The makeover is so major that when you first come across it, you might think you took a wrong turn somewhere. Once you step foot into the new Apple section, you might think you were magically transported to a regular Apple Store..."

If you come across one of these, let us know. They look great.

[Via MacDailyNews]

First it was Best Buy, now AppleInsider is reporting that US retailer Target will become the next third party chain to sell the Apple TV. You can expect to see units in stores by the end of the month (you can currently get one online at Target's website), and a few locations will even feature full-blown demo setups.

It has been reported that Apple TV sales have been a bit slow at Best Buy, so who knows what will happen at Target. Let us know if you see any, especially a demo model.

Last week, we pointed out Apple's intention to extend its presence in Best Buy (Best Buy is a big box electronics store here in the US) to 200 locations in 2007. We noted some of the less-than-Mac-like experiences we've had at the hands of Best Buy employees, and some of you shared similar experiences. Today, there's good news.

MacNN is reporting that Apple may establish "boutiques" in these locations, sort of stores within the store. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said, "We believe Apple's store within a store at Best Buy will be much different compared to the current pilot store roll-out, which was a table with Apple products on it..." on Monday. Sounds good, and we're eager to see the setup.

About a year ago, there was a single Mac mini set up in my local Best Buy. It quietly disappeared, and I wondered if Apple was giving up on Best Buy. Today, I got my answer: No.

According to an article at MacNN, the Apple/Best Buy retail venture will grow to 200 stores in 2007, up from the current count of 50. That's great and all, but let's hope that the staff at these extra 150 stores aren't as blatantly anti-Mac as the employees I've encountered. I've actually seen staff steer interested shoppers away from the mini and towards some hulking PC. I only hope they bought virus protection software as well.

You should be able to buy an Apple TV at your local Apple Store very soon (I imagine if they don't have them today they'll be getting them over the weekend). What if you are one of the many folks who do not live near an Apple Store? According to CNet Best Buy has worked out a deal to get Apple TVs this Tuesday, a full 2 weeks before other retail outlets. Apple is only shipping them 3000 units, which will be spread out to over 800 Best Buy locations, but if you are jonesing for an Apple TV you might have to 'turn on the fun' at Best Buy.

Update: It looks like Best Buy might have been overly zealous with the whole 'exclusive' claim. They are still getting about 3000 Apple TVs though, so check it out if you're in the market.