SGP311 KitKat - mounting remote shares

Question

Hi, Prior to the KK update, I used ES as my file manager. This allowed me to manipulate/copy files on my NAS. Now that File Commander is the only FM that can manipulate files on the SD card, I have to copy onto internal storage using ES, then move to SD using Commander. When I quizzed Mobisystems on this, they pointed to the Z1 forum and told me to use Settings > Storage > Remote Shares to mount the shares, then Commander would be able to do the necessary. The problem is that there is no 'Remote Shares' option under Settings > Storage.... Does anyone with the KK update on SGP311 have this option (in which case a repair might fix it), or have Sony utterly cocked this update up? PS I use s/w that will only run on non-root devices.....

Answer 1

I've just spoken to Sony about this, with laughably abject results.
First, a clearer exposition of my problem:
- Under 4.3, I used ES File Explorer, since that has all the functionality I require, crucially including access to NFS/SMB shares
- Google removed the ability of 3rd-party apps to write to SD for the KitKat release
- Sony chose File Commander to be the bundled file manager for their 4.4.2 stock ROMs
- File Commander cannot independently access remote shares (some cloud services, yes, but not J Random NAS)
- I didn't update to KK until a new File Commander update came out claiming to give access to remote shares for Xperia KitKat devices
- On update to KK, I found that I was still only given the option of cloud services under the remote share tab
- Mobisystems support pointed me at this link on the Z2 forum, describing how to mount remote shares via 'Settings' > 'Storage' > 'Remote Shares'
- I pointed out to Mobisystems' support that there was no 'Remote Shares' under 'Settings' > 'Storage', which left them puzzled and unable to offer any further advice.
So, on to the call today. After explaining the situation:
- Well it's Google's fault you can't write to SD (yes, but it's your fault I can't see my NAS in the provided file manager)
- We don't write the app to do this (no, but you made a deliberate decision to include software that could, should and erroneously claims to support this)
- It's not our responsibility to provide such functionality (and yet, through storage settings, you provide this for other devices in the range.... And your technology partner certainly thought it was - and that you did)
- We're sorry you're sad (I'm not sad, I'm fuming)
It was obvious we were getting nowhere, so I asked how I could escalate the issue.
"You can't", I was flatly informed.
After to-ing and fro-ing, they said they would pass it on to the developers.
<sarcasm> Which I fully believe </sarcasm>
Shoddy work from Sony.