Whoa, lots of comments here from people who think the issue is one of radio interference. No. No, that's not been a worry for a very long time.

No, the issue is one of projectiles and idiot passengers.

Personally I don't want to die from:
(1) Having survived decceleration from 200 knots to 0, being hit in the back of the head by the tablet from row 30
(2) Smoke inhalation whilst waiting to get out of the plane, because the guys nearest the exit are trying to figure out which of the smashed up tablets and phones on the floor is theirs.

I'd rather they kept the ban.

What does a pardon say? It says "We recognise that you did something wrong, but we'll let you off.". That is still totally wrong.

Instead he should have his sentence quashed. That would say "We recognise that the law was an ass and you should never have been prosecuted in the first place.".