With smart phones, tablets, etc. it's all in the software interface regarding how you use the GPS. On my smart phone, I have the standard Google Nav app, which is mostly for driving directions, though it will display Google Earth and take lat/long (but you lose Google Earth when you lose 3G). I also have other mapping apps, like OruxMaps, that let you download and store sat imagery, topo maps, etc. for wilderness travel. I even use it with Air Nautical Chart backgrounds at work to record flight transects, and use an app called Navionics for boat navigation. There are many more similar apps and software packages out there. They simply call out to the phone's GPS for the NMEA string to get position.
Tablets will work the same way. Many standalone GPS units also let you switch between mapping interfaces for roads, trails, water, or what have you.