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All right, let's assume that the convergence of technologies - which began at least as long ago as the days of radio/cassette players - continues. So eventually there is a single universal multi-functional device that does absolutely everything, Internet access, phone, games player, multi-purpose calculator, multi-device remote control for TV, HiFi, DVD, home movie centre, satellite decoder, and so on, house energy control system, multi-function key for car(s), house(s) and so on, cash and credit payment, GPS, MP3 player, PDA, flashlight/torch, Twitter, SMS, Skype, still with video and night-vision camera, replacement for watches, ad infinitum ... what have I forgotten? Oh yes, e-book reader!

This all-singing, all-dancing dream device is so fabulously wonderful that nowadays all your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours rely almost entirely on theirs, too. Some also continue to use netbooks, but people long ago gave up using landline phones, PCs are dinosaurs, etc. Nobody bothers with laptops anymore, relying solely on their universal tablet devices and the ubiquitous cloud for storage, plus perhaps also netbooks - or a hybrid. Then imagine one cold dark winter's night, just as you arrive home you discover to your absolute horror that your universal device has died, or been stolen. To make matters worse, you left your netbook at work, or it was stolen too. You feel absolutely devastated - panicky. You can't unlock the door to get into your freezing cold house, to override its non-functioning central heating system, you can't phone for help, even if you can get help, you can't pay for it, you don't have Internet access, no SMS, tweets, e-mail, and so on.

Okay, maybe this a rather silly example - tablet, or netbook, or some kind of hybrid universal device, whatever - but have you ever lost a house key, been locked out of your car, had credit cards stolen, lost Internet access, lost your cell/mobile/portable phone? Is complete convergence really the best way forward?