"It used to be possible for Android apps to access any kind of storage on an android device through the WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE permission. Writing to the SD card is useful for many different kinds of apps, e.g. file managers or cloud storage synchronization. However, the latest version of Android will no longer allow apps to write anywhere on external storage media, instead apps will only be allowed to access app-specific folders on SD cards. Android Police has an excellent writeup of the changes and the implications for users."
[ED Note: This is bound to irritate power users that rely on their SD cards for additional device storage.]
(Score: 1) by hemocyanin on Wednesday February 19 2014, @12:51PM
I don't have mine rooted. I live in an area where I don't get cell coverage except from a specific point in the kitchen. As a result, I make extensive use of TMobile's wi-fi calling feature which makes my phone perfectly functional as a phone even when I can't get signal from the tower. If I rooted my phone, I couldn't use that feature. I suppose there are other VOIP options, but then I'd have to pay extra for a third party VOIP provider, maybe have to deal with a second number too.