Microsoft might be crippling Bluetooth support in an attempt to make money off a competitive product, the Wi-Fi-based media networking system known as DLNA.
Microsoft has some explaining to do.
The Windows 7 Beta allowed computers with Bluetooth to play stereo audio wirelessly to other Bluetooth devices, such as headphones and speakers. The new Windows 7 Release Candidate dumped that feature. Oddly, Microsoft added another feature that wasn't in the Beta that is similar but incompatible.
The release candidate boasts a new music feature called Play To. This new feature allows users to play music and video to wireless speakers and media extenders. Play To is otherwise known as DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance.) DLNA streaming doesn't work over Bluetooth, only over Wi-Fi (or wired Ethernet), and Microsoft seems to be closely involved in its development.
According to the DLNA website, Microsoft is a "promoter member" and part of the DLNA Board of Directors. The DLNA site's "What's New" section has headlines that read "Windows ....Play To and Media Compatibility" and "Zune + DLNA + Windows 7 = ?"
All these signs seem to suggest that Microsoft has a big stake in DLNA - a passion they haven't shown for Bluetooth. Microsoft was contacted for a comment, but has yet to respond.
