Along those lines, I was sitting here looking at my iPod. It's an iPod Nano, whichever was the last "generation" to be sort of "big" and "square" and sport a navigation wheel. I found myself wondering, as how many "things" would my iPod count? One, right?
1. iPod nano
2. USB cord for iPod nano
3. headphones for iPod nano
4. Nike+ attachment for iPod nano
5. Nike+ shoe sensor for use with iPod nano
6. Armband for iPod nano
Armband consists of 2 parts: a) rubber sleeve; b) strap
This "one" item, the iPod nano, is actually at least "seven" items. If I discount the Nike+ attachments, which are not necessary to operate the iPod (although Nike+ is the original reason I purchased an iPod), that's still five items.
I could remove the armband and rubber case, but those accessories greatly increase the utility of the iPod. Still, removing those, I'm left with
1. iPod nano
2. USB cord for iPod nano
3. headphones for iPod nano
It would seem that some of our "simple gadgets" aren't as simple or "minimal" as they initially appear.