Regarding restaurants, I dislike being forced to order from my phone or a tablet (this issue isn't unique to China), but I can't recall the last time I've seen one that didn't have descriptive pictures. Furthermore, many restaurants still make it easy to order the old fashioned way.
The restaurants in the busy shopping districts and touristy areas have the picture signs out front and even may have a physical menu or two on hand. However, the random ones on the street, such as the ones near my hotel, lure you inside with a few provocative photos on the window, but there is nothing but sea of Chinese characters and prices scribed upon the wall inside, too far away for photo translation and hand gestures. The noodle shops in particular seem guilty of this heinous crime, and of course, that is where I most want to eat at. I only have a couple more days here, so I can probably get by sticking to the tourism zones for nourishment.
As for VPNs, I hastily downloaded LetsVPN to both of my phones at LAX, shortly before departing to PVG, and they are working like a charm. Only $3 for a week, on both devices.