Just a few years back there was a MS in the local congregation who used a handheld device that contained the NWT and WT publication CD to which he referred to during the meetings. He was approached by the elders and told that the use of the device could cause a distraction and that he should use the printed page of the Bible. Surely as a MS he would want to be exemplary in the use of the Bible and surely he would not want to start a trend...such BS...it wasn't OK because he had the idea...now it's OK because the GB says it is.
On another note, using a tablet or smartphone to read a speech or give a talk can be catastrophic. I went to a JW wedding where the father of the groom and 3 best men attempted to give their proverbial speech from their mobile device...what a major snafu for people who are supposedly the best trained public speakers! Their devices went on sleep mode, they were always loosing their spot causing them to repeat...Instead of trying to look cool by showing off their iPhones or iPads they could have spoken genuinely from their heart.