Microsoft explains removal of Bluetooth DUN
By Brian White 
posted Apr 24th 2007 1:01AM
posted Apr 24th 2007 1:01AM
Something that has probably caused quite a few Windows Mobile 5 customers to vent some rage lately was the removal of Bluetooth dial-up networking from AKU3. Why did Microsoft do it? According to a blog entry over at Microsoft's Developer Network, the dirty deed centered around Internet Connection Sharing, or ICS (think "wireless router" capability for your WM5 handset) which is technically superior for a handful of reasons. Translaton: Ole' Softie doesn't want all those spiffy WM handsets from becoming Bluetooth-centric access points to newer 2.5G and 3G wireless data networks. Fair enough; Bluetooth's peak data rates don't stand a chance against the best that HSDPA can throw at it, but still, old-fashioned dialup has its place. The good news here? Microsoft has heard the pleas of DUN-less users everywhere and plans to bring back the profile in a future Windows Mobile 6 AKU. Little consolation for the moment, but thanks to the vibrant hack community, we imagine most of us will have no trouble getting in on said AKU when the time comes.
"Bluetooth's peak data rates don't stand a chance against the best that HSDPA can throw at it"
True, but you don't need much speed for e-mail, browsing, chat, tweeting etc.
but if you have the option of a faster connection on the phone already, why use the slow DUN????
"2. but if you have the option of a faster connection on the phone already, why use the slow DUN????"
Because you don't have the option on whatever you're using to connect it with?
My new phone doesn't have Bluetooth DUN so my Pocket PC is instantly useless - I could connect it to my SDA just fine, but because M$ saw fit to dictate what features are "old" and need replacing, they just went ahead and replaced a feature that lots of users like with one that should have been an ADDITION, not a REPLACEMENT.
I think Engadget's translation is really incorrect. Microsoft replaced DUN with PAN, because in their view PAN is superior. And, it is... even Apple has added BT PAN support in Mac OS 10.4.9.
They are bringing it back as a default add-on however, which is nice for non-PC/Mac devices...
- Christopher Price
http://www.phonenews.com