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Best Buy will become the first independent retailer of the iPhone in the U.S. when it begins selling the iPhone 3G across 970 full-size stores and 16 Best Buy Mobile locations on September 7, reports the Associated Press. “We had a lot of work to do, obviously, to get in a position where Apple and AT&T would feel good about Best Buy Mobile carrying it, and that’s what we’ve done in the last 18 months,” said Shawn Score, president of Best Buy Mobile. Best Buy also offers the iPod and some Mac computers in its stores, a relationship that Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris pointed to as the reason Best Buy would be able to sell the iPhone. Last week Best Buy announced that it had completed a two-year conversion of its stores to include upgraded cell phone departments, which will be branded Best Buy Mobile and will now be able to handle handset activations. Best Buy Mobile is a joint venture with Carphone Warehouse, which offers the iPhone in the United Kingdom.

Update: Best Buy has issued an official press release confirming that it will begin sales of the iPhone at its U.S. stores on September 7.

“The iPhone has changed the way people think about their mobile phones, and we are delighted to help more customers get their hands on this revolutionary product,” said Brian J. Dunn, president and chief operating officer, Best Buy. “Our Best Buy Mobile employees have the training and expertise to deliver the best experience possible for our customers - from the initial purchase through the life of their iPhones.”