New Permissions in Android 4.1

Android 4.1 New Permissions

Android 4.1 defines the new set of permissions for providing the better security to implement for the devices in applications.

New Permissions added in Android 4.1 Release

READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE




Provides protected read access to external storage. In Android 4.1 by default all applications still have read access. This will be changed in a future release to require that applications explicitly request read access using this permission. If your application already requests write access, it will automatically get read access as well. There is a new developer option to turn on read access restriction, for developers to test their applications against how Android will behave in the future.

READ_USER_DICTIONARY




Allows an application to read the user dictionary. This should only be required by an IME, or a dictionary editor like the Settings app.

READ_CALL_LOG




Allows an application to read the system's call log that contains information about incoming and outgoing calls.

WRITE_CALL_LOG




Allows an application to modify the system's call log stored on your phone

WRITE_USER_DICTIONARY




Allows an application to write to the user's word dictionary.

Permissions required to access Location Manager

To access the location manager you need to declare the proper permissions in the application manifest file.
If you will not define this permissions then the application will get a security exception (SecurityException) at run-time.

The permission depends on the methods used from LocationManager. The LocationManager in android.location package provide the two location provider methods.

1) GPS Providers
2) Network Location Based Providers

The ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION permission is required if you will use the network location based providers.

The more accurate GPS Providers need the ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION permission.

defining the ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION permission implies ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION permission automatically

The network based location providers need the internet access permissions also.

Example - Network based location providers permissions in manifest file

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />