Hey! The BlackBerry Desktop Software is written by and owned by RIM, not the carriers. There's nothing your carrier can do about it, except pass on RIM's instructions on how to make RIM's software work:
- http www blackberry.com/btsc/search.do?cmd=displayKC&docType=kc&externalId=KB04 132
Once you "upgrade" your Bluetooth so BlackBerry Desktop Software works,
- http serialio.com/support/LaserChamp/3rdPartyRemove.php
some of your other Bluetooth applications may no longer work.
The reason manufacturers use third party driver stacks like Widcomm, Toshiba, and BlueSoleil is that Microsoft provides only partial support for Bluetooth in Windows, so even if they write a Microsoft-compatible driver they can't implement things like Hands-Free Protocol using the Windows Bluetooth stack. Microsoft has better Bluetooth support in Vista than in XP (" it also supports third-party driver development which enables third-parties to add support for additional Bluetooth Profiles"). Maybe Windows 7 will be even better.
In the meantime, it's extra work for a Windows developer to support more than one Bluetooth driver stack. But imagine trying to sell a Windows application that doesn't work on many (or most) Windows PCs...
RIM obviously feels their business is selling phones and services and the desktop software is a bonus they're giving away.
It would be nice if they'd just come right out and tell you that it won't work with Widcomm instead of saying it works with Windows. It would be nice if their tech note told you how to uninstall the 3rd party drivers. It would be nice if they put a little more effort into the Windows side. For now, you're stuck with the USB link.