If you are passionate about maintaining catalogues, lists, reports etc – in general if you ever wished that you could organize your non-digital items as well as your digital data – then the IntelliScanner Mini could come in pretty handy.

The IntelliScanner is a portable, battery-operated, barcode scanner which can be used to scan and index any bar-coded item. With one swish of the scanner, scan your bar-coded items and then sync the device with your PC/Mac via the scanner’s USB interface. The scanned items are loaded onto the IntelliScanner’s 6 software programs. Based on the category, the appropriate program then automatically compares the scanned items with similar items on the internet and obtains detailed product information which can be stored in its database. The 6 software programs are specialized for each category of item being indexed. For example, there is the Media Collector for books, CD-DVDs, Wine Collector for cataloging your wine collection, Kitchen Companion for groceries etc – the list is pretty exhaustive.

Though the scanner’s utility factor is huge, it comes with a stern warning – overuse could create an addiction disorder called “compulsive scanning” whose symptoms apparently include “carrying your portable scanner with you on vacation” and “attempting to use IntelliScanner software to track pets, children, spouses, or your IntelliScanner product itself.” Whew!

Well if you do decide to get one for yourself, the package costs a hefty $300 (scanner, 6 software programs, neck lanyard with detachable clip) and is available from the IntelliScanner website.

Via OhGizmo.