I'm pretty new to Android dev, not so new to Java. Anyhow I'm in the planning stage of my application which will rely heavily on Google map api.
I wanted to jump in to the code today but came across this dilemma. I won't be using any special UI components or anything so new that I would need to set my targeted version to higher than 2.2.
First thing I would like to display a map via Google map api. Anyhow the problem I have is when visiting https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android/v1/ To learn more about the API and how to use it I found out that it's no longer supported and has been replaced with V2. What bugged me was the statement that they are no longer releasing api keys for Google maps V1. And the V2 requires minimal Android API to be 17 which puts my app targeted at phones running Android 4.3+ which does not really cover that much devices.
Does this mean my application is a no-go and I have to deal with it being targeted for Android 4.3+ or can I still use V1 and target my app for Android 2.2+
Thanks in advance
The minSdkVersion of apps using the Google Maps V2 API for Android is not 17, but 8.
What you mean is probably the targetSdkVersion which should always be the highest available.
So you're good to go there.
Related
I'm building my first android app and slightly confused when choosing the right API. I've noticed that some functions are available starting from API 21. But then, why in the world would anyone use API 21 or higher if it's only supported by 40.5% of android devices??? Only 4 out of 10 sounds ridiculous to me. Or, is there something I'm missing?
Thanks.
Well it actually depends on you as a developer to know your target audience, and choose the right API target. Nevertheless, all these new features and functionalities that you think are only available for new APIs all have support through the use of Android Support Library. You can still have access to all the newer APIs through support libraries officially provided by android.
Android Support Library
At the end of the day you would want to target as many devices as possible to get a wider audience for your app.
now google research on the android "O". so its very soon new android application development API coming but you are say that you create your first android application so you need to fist familiar with all api so for you batter is you use minimum 16 and maximum 23 or 24 what ever you chose.if you chose latest api's so that u have latest android studio version.
for you all name and api details
I need to use the Google Map API for my android application, but as we are now aware that API versoin 1 is deprecated, I can not use MAP API v2.0 for the lower versions of Android.
So can you please give me any suggestions what alternative can be used to show google map to the lower versions of Android?
Thanks,
Shubhangi.
The Maps API are bundled with Google Play services and are compatible with Android 2.2 and higher. All devices with Android 8 API level support OpenGL 2.0, so devices with Android 2.1 version can't support Google Maps v2. You can check in the Documentation
Note: Note, though, that not all Android 2.2/2.3 devices have the ability to get the Play Services Framework, particularly those devices that never received the Play Store and are stuck with the old Android Market. Android 3.0+ should be fine
I have an android application that use Google Maps Android API Version 1 for its map. Now, I want to use Google Maps API Version 2 for on my application (https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android/) .
What is more quicker solution to upgrade my projects code to version 2? It looks that all codes changes. I have codes for changing center of map, adding overlays, changing zoomlevel, finding map bound lat/lng and etc.
And Also whether this API Also supports Android versions 2.3 or not?
Thanks
Google Maps v2 is completely different from Google Maps v2, so there probably won't be much code you can save / port over.
Google Maps v2 requires Android 2.2 or higher and Google Play services.
There is a sample for Xamarin.Android up on Github. It targets Android 4.0 and higher but can be easily changed to support Android 2.2 or higher.
The API v2 supports devices from 2.2.
I believe the quickest way to switch to v2 is by removing your MapActivity-based class and all code related to that and creating a new FragmentActivity-based.
I just installed Google Play Services
However, reading tutorials, maps seem to require fragments? (I only have a basic understanding of those since I am still new to Android)
From what I have read, it should be possible by using support library for fragments to get map v2 working on API level 8...
However, I have problems finding a demo that will actually run and not crash Eclipse/emulator (API level 8) so I am doing something wrong.
(Also the demos I have tried does not use the Google API console key which I do not understand. Everywhere I read it states it is required. But this is probably because it is also a "first" for me using any Google API for Android... Or at all actually)
All I want to do is to show a map centered on a specific address + add some pins
maps seem to require fragments?
No, though that is the recommended approach.
it should be possible by using support library for fragments to get map v2 working on API level 8...
Yes, though not all API Level 8 devices will support OpenGL ES 2.0 or have access to the Play Services Framework.
However, I have problems finding a demo that will actually run and not crash Eclipse/emulator (API level 8) so I am doing something wrong.
Maps V2 is not available on the Android emulator. Please do your Maps V2 development on a device.
Also the demos I have tried does not use the Google API console key which I do not understand.
I feel quite confident that the demos have the <meta-data> element in the manifest for the API key. Certainly all of my demos do.
All I want to do is to show a map centered on a specific address + add some pins
This is the simplest one of my demos for that scenario. It uses ActionBarSherlock and has a chance of running on an API Level 8 device, if that device has OpenGL ES 2.0 and the Play Services Framework. You will need to modify the manifest to put in your own Maps V2 API key, tied to your debug signing key and the app's package name (com.commonsware.android.mapsv2.markers).
I have an Android geolocation application released into the market named apna ilaka.
It is using Android API level 2.1. In order to allow a user to add places I would like to display a Google map with which the user could find different locations and would be able to add place indicators and information.
Following are my questions :
Do I really need to change my Android API level to Google API level in config path?
Since my app is already in market if I upload this new apk on market will it create any issue in updating the software on user side?
You only need to update the API level of you app if you want to use any api that are higher than the currently set level.
Supporting multiple API levels can be tricky but it isn't a nightmare, check out this great post by google on this subject:
http://android-developers.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-have-your-cupcake-and-eat-it-too.html
I guess you are talking about "Google API" versus "Android API"? If you need Google Maps you will need to use "Google API" as it contains the Maps libraries. Otherwise you could not use Maps classes when developing/compiling.
No, as far as I know you should not have any problems.