It used to be that bar codes were just for use in grocery stores. That’s not the case anymore. Grocery cashiers have hogged all of that swiping bar code glory for long enough. Personal bar code readers, like ScanLife’s latest for Android phones, allows you to quickly visit Web sites, phone numbers or videos.

It’s a shortcut for typing on your keypad or browsing. You can even create your own bar code on ScanLife’s Web site for quick access to functions that you use on a daily basis. The software has been available as a free iPhone app since August, but now you can download it for Android phones as well.

I thought that buying prepackaged goods was supposed to make life easier, but I guess I was wrong. However those who are completely obsessed with DIY will probably appreciate this and find it fun. The Falter 2D pen makes you work to have your pen and write with it.

The DIY assembly kit even comes with a flat piece of iron that you’ll fold into your pen holder. At $39, you could probably save yourself some trouble and just lift a pen from the next cubicle. Leave 5 bucks if you feel bad you’ll still be better off. Apparently the Falter is handmade in Italy. Just not completed. That’s up to you. Me, I have enough to do already.