Google Maps Application with Google Maps Android API v2

Prerequisites:

1. Download “Google Play services for Froyo” or “Google Play services” from “Android SDK Manager”

– Google Play services: version 4.3.23

– Google Play services for Froyo : version 3.2.65

2. Obtain your Google Maps API v2 Key. (Refer guide: Get API v2 Key )

3. Android Support Library

Step 01:

1. Open a new Eclipse workspace.

2. Copy and paste google-play-service project from ..\android-sdks-update\extras\google to your current workspace

3. Right Click on Project Explorer –> Import –>Android –>Existing Android Code into Workspace –> Browse D:\AndroidWorkspace\google_play_services\libproject\google-play-services_lib –>Ok

Step 02:

1. Create your Android project with target

– Android API 4.2 or above (if you are using “Google Play services” project)

– Older Android API version (if you are using “Google Play services for Froyo”)

*Note: Make sure the package name of your project is similar to the name used to generate the API v2 Key.

2. Reference the google-play-services-lib project from your project so that you can access it as a library:

Select the Project -> Properties -> Android -> Library: Add -> google-play-services_lib

Step 03:

1. MainActivity.java

package com.test;

import android.os.Bundle;
import android.support.v4.app.FragmentActivity;

public class MainActivity extends FragmentActivity {

 @Override
 protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
 super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
 setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
 }
}

2. activity_main.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<fragment xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
 android:id="@+id/map"
 android:name="com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment"
 android:layout_width="match_parent"
 android:layout_height="match_parent" />

3. AndroidManifest.xml

– Add openGL ES requried <uses-feature>; this is required to view the Google maps v2 since this feature supports from OpenGL ES version 2.0 and above

– Add required <uses-permission>

– Add API key as <meta-data>

*Note:

If you are using the “Google Play services” library project (not the Froyo), add the following meta-data tag to AndroidManifest.xml file, inside <application> element. This will automatically find the google-play-services-version, if you have referenced the library project correctly.


 <meta-data
 android:name="com.google.android.gms.version"
 android:value="@integer/google_play_services_version" />

AndroidManifest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
 package="com.test"
 android:versionCode="1"
 android:versionName="1.0" >

 <uses-sdk
 android:minSdkVersion="9"
 android:targetSdkVersion="17" />

 <uses-feature
 android:glEsVersion="0x00020000"
 android:required="true" />

 <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
 <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
 <uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES" />
 <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
 <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />

 <application
 android:allowBackup="true"
 android:icon="@drawable/ic_launcher"
 android:label="@string/app_name"
 android:theme="@style/AppTheme" >

 <meta-data
 android:name="com.google.android.maps.v2.API_KEY"
 android:value="<your API_KEY>" />

 <activity android:name="com.test.MainActivity" >
 <intent-filter>
 <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />

 <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
 </intent-filter>
 </activity>
 </application>

</manifest>

Deploying..

Since the Google maps v2 required OpenGL ES version 2.0 or above on your device to view the Maps; You will not see the maps on the normal Emulators. It is recommended to test the application on Actual devices, rather than using virtual devices.