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The CueCat, an infamous gadget, is being reincarnated. The heavily promoted mouse-like bar code scanner was supposed to revolutionize the way we shop by connecting us to information about consumer goods, giving us prices, coupons, reviews and more. But the device had to be connected to your PC, which severely limited its utility. After all, how many bar codes do you run across while sitting in front of a computer?

Now several companies, including New York-based Scanbuy, are working to bring you new bar code scanners -- but this time they'll be built into camera-enabled mobile phones.