“The featureCollection is used when you want to initialize the FeatureLayer with features from outside of ArcGIS Server.”

This lends itself well to offline editing.

ArcGIS Mobile Editing

In the demo below we are online and accessing the app via a mobile browser (note, this demo needs Flash and thus wont run on an iOS device):

Here is a link to the actual Mobile GIS Editing Application

Many organisations are trying to both understand mobile GIS and justify its adoption. Efficiency and cost savings are key factors in this decision process. We see the ability of field workers to add, delete and edit features while on site as being very important. Those who have adopted GIS, will quickly see the many benefits this mobile workflow brings to daily operations. Editing will be crucial in tipping the balance in many organisations towards the widespread use of mobile GIS.