So here we go again trying to justify the Capt's shortcomings (i.e.- lack of attention to detail...for instance a basic pre-flight) instead of accepting that he screwed up...
In these types of operations the "dispatcher" is or is not licensed...(I'm not trying to cast any stones at this partictular operation)....however...
What the dispatcher says or doesn't say does not relieve the PIC from taking off without enough fuel...
In my businesses, and cockpits (when I was still flying) cell phones, I-Pads, etc, are checked at the door...
My justification for this stance was "If you were working for a Doctor or Lawyer Office, you wouldn't be "Texting" all day long...So what makes you think you can do it on my time?)
Out of Fuel...Crash....PIC....Guilty....End of Story....
Of course there could be many mitigating factors which were the links in the chain that finally snapped, But there is no excuse for running out of fuel....Period...