Maybe it’s just a function of how much technology I collect, but at any given time I’m usually carrying the following:
- 7 MP3 players
- 9 web browsers
- 6 communications radios
- 4 email programs/contact managers
- 4 Word document readers
- 3 digital cameras

That’s a TR1A, a Clie NZ90, a SE P900 and an iHP-140 for those keeping track. One could argue that the P900 is utterly redundant, so if I went back to the T616, that just removes 1 MP3 player, 1 Word file reader and 1 web browser. Each and every device I carry serves a purpose that can’t be fulfilled entirely by the others. Seems like every device I have is trying to be the be-all-end-all office/entertainment/communications device of the future but I’m not convinced convergence is the best way to go. All of the devices are too much of a compromise to be used for everything, so I just use the best device for the job at hand. What do the rest of you think?

[edit - added more junk]

Given the current offerings, you’re doing what you can to meet your needs.  I do think, however, that convergence is where we’re all headed.  The devices today, as you said, just simply impose too many compromises to be useful on their own. 

There’s a new Motorola phone coming out that runs Pocket PC, has a fairly large screen for a phone, and isn’t a complete brick.  That might be my answer…at least until a full-fledged OS can be packed into a form factor of that size.

I’m in the same boat, with a T616, TR2A, iPod mini, DSC-T1, and TH-55. So I actually manage to carry 4 digital cameras around as well. I think the Treo 600 has been a big success because of people who want to cut down on the clutter, but each thing I carry does its job well and I don’t mind the extra weight.

I’m not too big of a fan of convergence right now as the technology simply isn’t at the point where I feel the trade offs aren’t worth it. Also, devices that try to do it are very expensive and aren’t really good at anything.

So, for now I’m happy carrying a bunch of devices (the smallest of each I can find when available). So, that would be the TR1AP, DSC-T1, Sony Ericsson Z600, and Sony MD-NZ1 MiniDisc player (or my MusicClip sometimes). I have managed to squeeze out the PDA for the most part as it’s really not necessary anymore now that I can essentially store most of contact info and appointments on my phone.

buck: The problem is that I really don’t see any real convergence in the home electronics space. Everyone says it’s where we’re headed, but is that true? Consider the venerable VCR. It’s pre-recorded movie duties are now done by the DVD player, taping shows is generally done by the Tivo and most of us still have a VCR for all the old VHS tapes we have lying around… oh and porn. That’s 3 devices doing what one used to.

cellery: Doh! Forgot the number of cameras I’m carrying! <George Carlin>The problem is that most of them suck.</George Carlin>

Drach:  I see convergence more in portable computing/communications.  Not too far in the future, we’ll all be carrying around mobile phones with significant computing power…maybe even running a full-fledged OS.  Such devices could cut most of what you carry around today down to one or two units.  I’d love to ditch my current PDA for something that could run Windows efficiently (assuming ‘Windows’ and efficiency are not mutually exclusive).  As small as the TR might be, it’s still not exactly pocketable.  The proposed OQO is something I’d buy if it ever gets past the vaporware stage. 

In the realm of home electronics, I think we’re talking less about convergence and more about interoperability between devices.  I’d like my PC to communicate with my TV, digicam, etc.  In fact, I’d love to whip out my PDA and beam tunes wirelessly onto my surround sound speakers.