Difference between “mobile device” (connectivity inferred) and portability… They are not one and the same.
We have been using “portable” devices for 20+ years at work – recording data, downloading loggers, etc, etc. They have never had a pretentions of mobile conectivity, by way of current understanding, but functioned very well in remote and hostile (to electronic kit)locations.
I don’t expect to take an iPad out into a wet, muddy field for that sort of work. I expect it to fulfill the modern “mobile device” requirements where 3G, 4G or wifi are available, but still expect it to be able to function to certain degree where these are not available…
As ^^ on this thread, an on my previous one about the iPad and GoPro, the camera connector kit is the obvious fix for my needs, but rather inelegant!