Bluetooth Barcode Scanner

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.baracoda.com/market/anglais/market_pencil_A.html' target='_blank'>http://www.baracoda.com/market/angl...t_pencil_A.html</a><br /><br /></div>"The Baracoda Pencil is the first Bluetooth™ certified wireless barcode scanner in the market. It is reliable, easy-to-use, convenient, ergonomic, and very affordable. The BaracodaPencil is a highly effective solution for all non-industrial barcode applications..."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/Baracoda.gif" /><br /><br />It can also apparently be used as a stylus too. Great start - if it can be made a bit thinner, it would be a great POS tool -- no messy cords or bulky units to deal with, although it <i>could</i> get lost. ;)

[johncruise]

although it could get lost. ;)
and most likely stolen.

[ctmagnus]

and most likely stolen.

Personally, I would never steal a pen that ugly. Unless, of course, I knew beforehand that it was, in fact, a stylus. But I still would never take a stylus that looked like that, even if it was offered to me for free.

Boy, am I picky!

[johncruise]

Personally, I would never steal a pen that ugly. Unless, of course, I knew beforehand that it was, in fact, a stylus. But I still would never take a stylus that looked like that, even if it was offered to me for free.

It's not a pen. It's a barcode scanner (pen style). Basically there are many types of barcode scanner... the handheld (many subcategories on this), the stationary (the one that you see in grocery stores where they just run through the items you bought) and a pen style where you run the pen across the barcode label of an item -- among others. :) (sorry for splutting this geeky nonsense... one of my very very very old projects are POS system or point-of-sales)

[iPaqDude]

Having been involved in scan-based Retail POS systems for the last 25 years with a major supermarket chain, I have had the opportunity to review and use many of handheld scanners, both laser and contact based. This unit is a contact pen which limits it usefullness past very small applications.

Now if it were laser-based, on the other hand, it would be an outstanding device.

That said, the fact that it has BlueTooth comm to a PDA, laptop, cell phone, etc. is a great direction. In my area I can think of several applications:

reordering
inventory
price checks
asset management
lots of items...

but most of these would be best suited to use a device that was laser, not contact. I understand that would drop some of the battery life, but hey - what doesn't?

Being a supporter of BlueTooth, I really like the direction that devices like this are going, and hope we see a slew of them in the near future to help get BT in the forefront and off of the predominately geek-only list.

Just my .02...

[johncruise]

I would have to agree with iPaqDude. Handheld laser barcode scanner would be the most efficient specially on some of the applications he mentioned. I remember being involved on creating a PLU file by going to our customers warehouse and scanning through all the items (furnitures actually). Most of them are stacked way up high (more than 20 feet)!!! Just imagine if you have a barcode wand (or pen...whatever you call it) and you have to scan those items. A very power laser scanner would be the most ideal for the job (the ones that can reach a very far distance).

Hmmm... I'm going far off the topic ain't I? :oops:

[iPaqDude]

John, actually I don't think you are off topic... these are all applicatons that fit very will into the PDA usage model. Unteather the collection device from the wired-networks, then do the same for the source entry device - in this case the scanner.

[ctmagnus]

Personally, I would never steal a pen that ugly. Unless, of course, I knew beforehand that it was, in fact, a stylus. But I still would never take a stylus that looked like that, even if it was offered to me for free.

It's not a pen. It's a barcode scanner (pen style).

I knew that. <insert super-intelligent smily here.> I was just saying, in response to your statement that it would quite possibly be stolen, that if I saw a pen that ugly I wouldn't steal it. However,

Unless, of course, I knew beforehand that it was, in fact, a stylus.

still stands, especially when coupled wih the fact that it's also a barcode scanner.

What I would use it for is to prgoram it with a bunch of sky-high prices for stuff that I know people I Know regularly buy. Then go to their places of residence, scan all their groceries and say "Are you aware that you just spent $756,425.23 on groceries?" :D

[GregWard]

Is it just me or is their site pretty pathetic? Have I missed a link?

How much is this thing? If you follow the "where to buy?" (for the UK anyway) you get to mobilis-direct - who then tell you all about the PC carry cases they sell. :?

It's amazing how often you see this. Surely if you're going to bother promoting something you should make sure the basics are covered? Where/how to buy and price - kinda help a bit!

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I guess the looks are all personal... I think it looks pretty cool... very similar to the mini "pop-out" pens that Cross recently went to market with.

[Will T Smith]

They will sell a BUTTLOAD of these.

Simple, elegant, and it can integrate with PCs, PDAs and Smartphones.

This is PERFECT for wireless data aqcuisition. This device shows the true power of bluetooth. External, interchangable device expansion.