Sub Transistor Radios are outdated

i was looking at the cam as i chat with a friend. then i asked what is that on your back? he picked up something and showed me. i said "speakers", believing it was what i said, because it was near the computer. it turned out to be a radio transistor. i was thinking how come he still keeps an outdated kind of appliance? but he said it receives the sound section of tv, has fm receiver too from radio stations around the world and those from the local tv stations. it only uses 4 penlight batteries but can also work using a battery eliminator. then i thought, wow!! it is then very useful especially during times when there is no power like in storms or brownouts. it is a very wise decision then to have one of those. How about you friends, do you still keep a transistor radio in your home? Did you think that such an appliance is outdated already? Can you comment on this?