I can get my android application to have google maps api v2 working on it fine even though I was building my application using API 8, not Google API + Android API 8
so the question is, if I can get google maps to work fine with my android application without needing to compile/build with the Google Api+Android 8, so what is Google API build used for then ?
It's a very confusing thing
Google Maps Android API v1 required the Google API's add-on. V2 doesn't need the add-on and is supported via Google Play Services. This is the new way Google is allowing developers to access their API's. The advantage to this is that Google Play Services can be update via the Google Play Store. I think it is much harder for Google to update the add-on. You can see what else the add-on supports here: https://developers.google.com/android/add-ons/google-apis/. Mainly the maps API plus some USB API's.
Related
I have been searching but couldn't find the difference between both of these things. I have read other questions in which people have said that we should use Google Apis as build target when we want to integrate Google Maps Api or use other Google apis.
The problem is that i am using maps on projects that were build on simple Android 4.4 not Google API (platform 4.4) and the maps are working just fine on my Galaxy s3.
How are they possibly working?
And if they are working then what is the difference between Google APIs and SDK platform?
Or is the difference only related to emulators?
It is really pointless to use the Google API's now because most if not all things included in that have been deprecated and moved to google play services. Selecting Google API will not do anything except maybe increase the size of your program. The difference being is in addition to the 4.4 SDK you would also get all the Google API stuff with it
You don't need (but it won't hurt you) to use Google APIs if you use Google Maps Android API v2. Google APIs is for when you work with deprecated Google Maps Android API v1 or you program USB.
The google API includes Google Maps and other Google-specific libraries. The Android one only includes core android libraries.
As for which one to choose, I would go with the Android API until you find that you need the Google API; such as when you need Google Maps functionality.
http://code.google.com/android/add-ons/google-apis/index.html is a link to the Google API page.
I am having problems with updating an Android Project that is using Google Maps Api v1.
According to Google:
Version 1 of the Google Maps Android API has been officially
deprecated as of December 3rd, 2012. This means that from March 18th,
2013 you will no longer be able to request an API key for this
version. No new features will be added to Google Maps Android API v1.
However, apps using v1 will continue to work on devices. Existing and
new developers are encouraged to use Google Maps Android API v2.
Does it mean that in order to update the app I need to update the maps to use Google Maps API v2?
You can continue using v1 for the time being.
The warning simply says that you won't be getting any new features, and you can't request new API keys for v1.
As per your quote:
However, apps using v1 will continue to work on devices.
I'm developing an android app which runs on devices 2.X up.
It uses Google maps V2 API.
I just installed the app in logitech revue Google TV with android 3.2 and maps do not work. I looked up and Google play services does not seem to be installed.
I looked it up on the play store and it does not show up, neither google maps official app.
So i guess google maps native api is not available on any google tv?
Thanks!
Even when Google Play Services hits your TV, I don't think Google Maps Android API v2 was optimized for devices without touch screen. Some more work has to be done there in the implementation before it is sensible to use API V2 on TVs.
I am trying to develop some android apps using google maps android api 2. But it seems that it is using google play service and most chinese android phones (including knock-off one) don't even have google play. Can I use google maps in my app if the app is going to be deployed in china ?
As I understand application with new maps SDK v2 can be installed only on devices with Google Play services APK.
And v1 keys will not be available after 3/2013, so does it means I can't build today map application which runs on most of Android devices?
As I understand application with new maps SDK v2 can be installed only on devices with Google Play services APK.
The app can be installed on whatever devices you want. Maps V2 will only work on devices with the Play Services Framework APK. This should already exist on most Android 3.0+ devices and should be downloadable to many Android 2.2/2.3 devices.
so does it means I can't build today map application wich runs on most of android devices?
First, Maps V1 works on most Android devices. The fact that you cannot get new API keys starting on 3 March 2013 does not mean that you cannot use Maps V1. Simply make sure that you have a long-lived debug keystore, that you have Maps V1 API keys for that keystore and your production keystore, and that you have a decent backup regimen.
Second, Maps V2 should work on "most Android devices", though dealing with devices that do not presently have the Play Services Framework (but could download it from the Play Store) is a bit annoying.
Third, there are other mapping solutions available, such as OpenStreetMap with OSMDroid, that can run on just about anything.
Android 2.2 is installed on 97.6% of devices, and is the major requirement for Google Play services.
Source: http://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html
Sounds like a "most of Android devices", I think..