I'm a huge fan of elegant simplicity. Yes, my cell phone has a clock, but I really like having a watch.
Not necessarily a smart watch because much like the aforementioned cell phone, it needs to be charged daily.
My iPhone will also play music and games, but again it shreds through battery life. The minority I'm in with
wanting to pack along a small but mighty music player (a well-loved Sony NWA-A30) and, most days, a dedicated
game machine (GBA with a new screen) must be incredibly small. Countless times I've received the 'crooked head
look' when they see all of this packed in a bag, sprawled on a desk or getting put away in jacket pockets.
I used to think I was too particular in my gadget needs by carrying separate but the times where I have a work
trip or hotel time and I can play something old and fun with actual controls and no ads would be too hard to
give up. It's a very similar scenario with the walkman - sometimes there's no wifi to stream, somtimes I want
to listen to something that isn't on $streamingService but mostly it's just the nostalgia of throwing on some
wired headphones (and maybe even a nice headphone amp if I remember to pack it) and playing through an entire
album or two without killing my phone battery. It's certainly driven by preference. There may be a point where
I switch over to a single device? I just don't think that type of phone will be made ever again - I don't see
physical buttons or a headphone jack happening on mainstream phones, sadly. (To say nothing of how many of the
early 00's GBA era games that won't ever see a re-release on a modern mobile platform)
Some other settings and scenarios this setup has been a lifesaver:
Stuck on a long-hold with support or a conf call where you won't have to speak?
What a great time to discover an under-rated RPG and get started
On site with no wifi (or the network hasn't been stood up yet) ?
Walkman playlist to the rescue - bonus points for some wired speakers to entertain your coworkers
Bare-bones rental or fleet car with nothing on the radio?
Break out that aux cable for the trip. (Yet more bonus points for using the old school FM transmitter)
Time between meetings with cool coworkers?
Pass an old school couch co-op game back and forth - Suggestions:
Arcade 3-in-1: Millipede, Super Breakout, Lunar Lander
Capcom Classics: Strider, Might Final Fight, Bionic Commando
Mr. Driller
Pinball of the Dead
Sega Arcade Gallery: After Burner, Space Harrier, Out Run, Super Hang On
I'm sure there are quite a few others but these are a few we've enjoyed on the road and at remote sites.
It's not the perfect setup by any means; AA batteries for the Game Boy Advance, a non-standard charger for the walkman and, yeah,
3 devices occupying pockets and/or space in a bag. Still, usually worth it to have music and games at the ready.
