Lawyer’s offices have Tape recording equipment. They use them for depositions, for instance.
It wouldn’t make sense to ‘record’ with a smartphone (for a lawyer). Don’t want to have to give a smartphone as ‘evidence’ or ‘testimony’ each time. That would be expensive and stupid. Much simpler to use a tape recorder and give a ‘tape’ to the court records.
There are other ways to record digitally other than a smart phone, such as a digital recorder. Though regular tapes would not be surprising.
Depends on the purpose of the tape.
Even if the allegations were true, there’s no criminal activity involved. This whole enterprise is about undermining the Trump administration. They’re looking to influence the court of public opinion, not the justice system.
But, like past attempts, it appears to be blowing up in their face.
They could download the digital file. I mean, do they hand over tape recorders?