If you own a digital camera, iPod or a mobile phone then you would understand that accessories for them are an integral part of the ownership process. Scratches and accidents are almost a common occurrence after continuous usage and it makes the item look unappealing.It also lessens the value of the gadget, and if you are thinking of selling it second hand or by means of an auction the value would be considerably less than if it was in pristine condition.
So doing some homework on what accessory will optimally function with your gadget makes sense in the long run, as the value will not be decreasing as much as when it is in a bad condition. I am not implying that it will not lose value, as depreciation will occur, as newer versions and technology become available from the manufacturers.
So what should you consider?
Screen protectors are a vital addition to your gadget as touch screens are becoming common among all manufacturers of digital cameras and mobile phones to a degree.
Next on the list of accessories are earphones and headphones. The standard Apple earphones are adequate but Skullcandy earphones and headphones could make your experience of your media even better.
The docking station for your iPod turns it into a Hi-Fi without the extra costs of purchasing one.
Mobile phones such as the HTC Hero, various BlackBerry models and the Apple iPhone should all be considered in terms of protective covers, charging stations/ cables.
The digital camera owner would understand that a soft case and a bigger memory card is a necessity as the frustration due to a lack of them will take away the enjoyment factor .It sometimes happens that you will be spending more time creating space(by moving the images to your notebook), than using your camera.
In the end it is a personal decision whether you want to purchase the accessories for your gadgets or not, I believe.