AirSnort's impact: AirSnort is a simple program that extracts WEP encryption keys using the weaknesses in the algorithm discussed recently.
New York Times shrugs: I sent a list of corrections about today's Bluetooth article (free reg. required) which I noted in yesterday's blog. The response from some editors there was that WECA told the NY Times reporter that 802.11b ad hoc networking isn't used much, and that WECA doesn't certify. Because the reporter didn't speak to IEEE, an important aspect of the story was lost.
In fact, 802.11b ad hoc networking - networking between computers that doesn't require an access point in hardware or software to relay traffic - is a powerful agent towards supplanting Bluetooth functions. Many compact devices that will run 802.11b might need to employ its ad hoc mode to avoid infrastructure demands. This is the raison d'etre of Bluetooth itself.
My other notes about accuracy of description were brushed off as well.