@Nevyn, did you read the part about TLS and SSL support? Also in the US a shield would cost $25-$30 and the advantage is that it is conveniently mounted along with the ND making the "gadget":
1. More self sufficient.
2. Easily deployable in the field and/or transportable
3. Driven by a battery pack (or less power nonetheless)
4. No Ethernet cable required
5. The router or network cable is not always conveniently located or accessible to the ND on the home or office
if TLS/SSL were not a requirement maybe we could have a solution that uses one of the $5 USB dongles