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launching apps (using google apis) in android device directly from eclipse

My android app is using MapView and hence using the google api's.
Problem is that for testing my app I have to export apk file with my keystore , install the app in device and then run it for checking the output and it consumes a lot of time.
Is there a better way to do it using eclipse??

yes there is.
create a a 'debug maps key' using the debug.keystore located on your user folder, something like:
/Users/<username>/.android/debug.keystore

Follow the lines on this page https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android/mapkey#getdebugfingerprint
And register a map key for debug here
https://developers.google.com/android/maps-api-signup
This way, you'll get a debug map key which you can use for your mapview during debug.

Android Map View in AVD

I'm busy with adding a Map View in my android application. I'm trying to get this running on my AVD but I can't get this to work.
I'm following this tutorial: click here. I have to install the Google APIs add-on, so I used the Android SDK Manager to find the add on, but it's not there?
What to do??

Are you including the key in your layout XML (where you have the mapview) that you had to generate from your debug keystore to get the map image to show up? If not, you'll need to do that and you'll need to generate another version to work with your final (non debug) keystore for when you package the .apk.
Here are the instructions from google: http://code.google.com/android/add-ons/google-apis/mapkey.html

getting google maps working on phone/tablet (no problem on emulator)

most people have the opposite problem that I do.. I have no issues on the emulators (API keys should be correct). But when I take it to my tablet.. I don't get anything..
do the apps needs signed to touch base w/ google maps (when installed on a tablet/phone)? Getting apps signed has not been working out well for me.. even got an error trying to say my debug.keystore has been manipulated?
If someone has a very nicely laid out walk through for creating the key I would be greatly appreciated. I've tried this in eclipse and through command prompt.. Nothing but issues.

It sounds like you copied your project from some other place. Try to go through the directory of your project and delete anything that you don't think should be in there. Delete any generated files or keystores you find in there. Rename the package to your own package name, please do not pick com.android. And then, rebuild everything.
Or better yet, create an android project from scratch, and put in the minimum code that will render a map, and then test it on a phone to see if you get the same result.
And then, test it on the tablet after that (you say it hasn't worked on the tablet, but I remain unclear as to whether you tested it on a phone too).
And do not sign anything, just connect it to your tablet with the usb cable, set your tablet to debug mode, and select run as an android application (Eclipse will do the rest with the debug.keystore and the signing).
And by the way, starting in Android 2.2 or 2.3, the google map API keys don't need to be correct anymore to work on the emulator I believe. The complaints you found probably predate this change.

google map is not visible in my android app

in my app i am trying to show the current location in a map. I followed the instructions in his link
When i run the app from my eclipse to my device by the run config, I am able to view the map and the current place where i am located.
But when i created a .apk and aligned.apk file of my app then i am not able to see the map.
When i was searching through stack overflow i came over the following question
and followed those answers but still i am not able to see the map, it shows only a squares
how to solve this issue

The only reason for this problem is with the keystore which you generate while exporting the apk... Select the already existing keystore androiddebug.keystore available in the android folder... Also remember that you should have valid api key with you..

its better to do in this way
Select the project in workspace-->rightclick---> click export--->export android apps-->next-->next--->enter keystore file name--->next--->enter key alis--->finish

How to distribute apk files to my friends?

I have created a very small android app. I don't want to publish it to public. I just want my other friend to run my app on his phone. I don't have android phone but my friend has one. I have developed the app using eclipse IDE. How do I bundle it to apk and give it to him. I am a beginner (even less than a beginner) - please tell me what should I do ?

Follow these instructions (read from where it says Compile and sign with Eclipse ADT), then email him the apk! He'll need to put in on his phone's SD card and install it from there.

I assume you are using Android Studio for application development.
Follow these steps:
Go to "build" from the navigation bar in Android Studio.
Go to "build bundle(s)/APK(s)" from the drop down that appears.
Click on "build APK(s)". You will get a notification box at the bottom right of your screen.
Click on "locate". Two files will appear. One is a ".json" file and one is an ".apk" file.
Send these files to your friends on WhatsApp and tell them to download the JSON file and install the APK file. Now your application is running.
You are done.

If you email him the apk using it's gmail he can install it from within the gmail app opening the attachment :P.

Here is a link to the android developer's documentation on other ways to share your app.
The easiest way to share an app is by sending it through e-mail. In order to share it via e-mail, you need to prepare your app for release and then attach it to the email and send it. After that , anyone receiving the email can instantly install the app through the click of a button.
Although there's many steps in creating the app the most important is creating a keystore and a key for your app which will help you generate a signed app. Once you have the signed app you can also share the apk file by itself wherever needed, you're not restricted to sending it via e-mail. Make sure your friends have their setting set for installing apps from unknown sources
through the Settings >> Security menu.
If you need any more help let me know.
Hope this helps you :)

If you are using Android studio that's too simple,
go to Build -> Build Bundle(s) / APK(s) -> Build APK (s).
Wait till the build is completed.
In the corner, you will see some like this screenshot. Click on Locate.
There in the opening folder, your app is located with the name
app-debug.apk
Share this app file with friends.
Note: Friends may get a warning like this
tell them to click on
INSTALL ANYWAY
You are done!

In Android Studio Menu Build > "Generate Signed APK". Follow the instructions on screen at the last step let yourself show the place where the release APK is placed (on my Mac it says "Show in Finder"). E-Mail that apk file to your friend. When an alert comes up that apps from unknown sources cannot be accepted the settings can be temporarily overridden and then it will work.

1st In Android studio navigate to "Build" then generate a signed .apk (MUST USE .APK) If you want to share it without publishing it on google play. 2nd upload the .apk
to your google drive, then on google drive right click the .apk then click on copy link. Last share and copy this link with any one or anywhere on the internet. If you want to trestrict to only few people go back to google drive right click on the .apk once again select or mention a category of people you will want to share with.
NOTE:
IF YOU SHARE THE LINK PUBLIC ON THE INTERNET WHENEVER SOMEONE OR ANYONE CLICK ON IT, IT WILL BE DOWNLOADED AUTOMATICALLY AND INSTALLED BY PACKAGE INSTALLER