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Learning Android Google Maps
Learning Android Google Maps

Learning Android Google Maps: Integrate Google Maps with your Android application to offer feature-rich and interactive maps

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Learning Android Google Maps

Chapter 2. Configuring an API Key and Creating Our First Map Application

In the first chapter, we learned how to set up a development environment to kick-start an app development process. In order to install our Google maps application, we need to register our maps application in the Google Developer Console with our SHA1 fingerprint. This can be obtained by using the Java keytool and it is used in an authentication process. Let's learn about it in detail in this chapter.

In this chapter, we will cover the following topics:

  • Generating the SHA1 fingerprint on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X
  • Registering our application in the Google Developer Console
  • Configuring Google Play services with our application
  • Adding permissions and defining the API key
  • Creating our first map application
  • Common problems and solutions

Generating the SHA1 fingerprint

Let's learn how to generate the SHA1 fingerprint on different platforms one by one.

Windows

The keytool usually comes with the JDK package. We use the keytool to generate the SHA1 fingerprint. Navigate to the bin directory in your default JDK installation location, which is what you've configured in the JAVA_HOME variable, for example, C:\Program Files\Java\jdk 1.7.0_71. Then select, File | Open command prompt.

Now, the command prompt window will open. Enter the following command, and then hit the Enter key:

keytool -list -v -keystore "%USERPROFILE%\.android\debug.keystore" -alias androiddebugkey -storepass android -keypass android

You will see an output similar to this:

.............
Valid from: Sun Nov 02 16:49:26 IST 2014 until: Tue Oct 25 16:49:26 IST 2044
Certificate fingerprints:
    MD5:  55:66:D0:61:60:4D:66:B3:69:39:23:DB:84:15:AE:17
    SHA1: C9:44:2E:76:C4:C2:B7:64:79:78:46:FD:9A:83:B7:90:6D:75:94:33
............

Next, note down...

Registering in the Google Developer Console

Registration is one of the most important steps in our process. Our application will not function without obtaining an API key from the Google Developer Console. Follow these steps to obtain the API key:

  1. Open the Google Developer Console from https://console.developers.google.com. Click on the Create Project button.
  2. A new dialog box will appear. Give your project a name and a unique project ID. Then, select Create:
    Registering in the Google Developer Console
  3. As soon as your project is created, you will be redirected to the project dashboard. On the left-hand side, under the APIs & auth section, select APIs.
    Registering in the Google Developer Console
  4. Then, scroll down and enable Google Maps Android API v2:
    Registering in the Google Developer Console
  5. Next, under the same APIs & auth section, select Credentials. Now, select Create new key under Public API access, and then select Android key as shown in the following dialog:
    Registering in the Google Developer Console
  6. In the next window, enter the SHA1 fingerprint we noted in our previous section followed by a semicolon and the package name of the Android application...

Configuring Google Play services

Google Play services include the classes required for our map application. So, it is required to set it up properly. It differs for Eclipse with the ADT plugin and Gradle-based Android Studio. Let's take a look at both separately. It will be simple.

Android Studio

Configuring Google Play services with Android Studio is very simple. You need to add a line of code to your build.gradle file, which contains the Gradle build script required to build our project. There are two build.gradle files. You must add the code to the inner app folder's build.gradle file. The following screenshot shows the structure of the project:

Android Studio

The code should be added to the second Gradle build file that contains our app module's configuration. Add the following code to the dependencies in the Gradle build file:

compile 'com.google.android.gms:play-services:7.5.0

The structure will be similar to the following code:

dependencies {
    compile 'com.google.android.gms...

Adding permissions and defining the API key

The permissions and API key must be defined in the AndroidManifest.xml file, which provides essential information about applications to an operating system. The OpenGL ES version must be specified in manifest, which is then required to render the map and also different versions of Google Play services.

Adding permissions

Three permissions are required for our map application to work properly.

The permissions should be added inside the <manifest> element. The four permissions are as follows:

  • INTERNET
  • ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE
  • WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE
  • READ_GSERVICES

Let's now take a look at what these permissions are for.

INTERNET

This permission is required for our application to gain access to the Internet. Since Google Maps mainly works on real-time Internet access, access to the Internet is essential.

ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE

This permission gives information about networks and whether we are connected to a network or not.

WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE

This permission...

Creating our first map application

Creating our map application with Android Studio is very simple. Android Studio has inbuilt templates that help us to create our map application easily through some simple steps. The first method to do this is by editing the layout from the Android studio inbuilt template. Select File | New Project.

In the next screen, select the target Android SDK version and minimum Android SDK version that your application supports.

In the following screen, select activity as Google Maps Activity and select Next, as shown in the following image:

Creating our first map application

In the following screenshot, enter a name for activity and layout:

Creating our first map application

Finally, select Finish. Our map project will be created and all the permissions of the other components are added by default. Our job is to paste the API key to the google_maps_api.xml file, which is present in the folder res/values.

However, if you create an application in Eclipse, you need to add the permissions and other components manually and also configure Google...

Generating the SHA1 fingerprint


Let's learn how to generate the SHA1 fingerprint on different platforms one by one.

Windows

The keytool usually comes with the JDK package. We use the keytool to generate the SHA1 fingerprint. Navigate to the bin directory in your default JDK installation location, which is what you've configured in the JAVA_HOME variable, for example, C:\Program Files\Java\jdk 1.7.0_71. Then select, File | Open command prompt.

Now, the command prompt window will open. Enter the following command, and then hit the Enter key:

keytool -list -v -keystore "%USERPROFILE%\.android\debug.keystore" -alias androiddebugkey -storepass android -keypass android

You will see an output similar to this:

.............
Valid from: Sun Nov 02 16:49:26 IST 2014 until: Tue Oct 25 16:49:26 IST 2044
Certificate fingerprints:
    MD5:  55:66:D0:61:60:4D:66:B3:69:39:23:DB:84:15:AE:17
    SHA1: C9:44:2E:76:C4:C2:B7:64:79:78:46:FD:9A:83:B7:90:6D:75:94:33
............

Next, note down the SHA1 value, which...

Registering in the Google Developer Console


Registration is one of the most important steps in our process. Our application will not function without obtaining an API key from the Google Developer Console. Follow these steps to obtain the API key:

  1. Open the Google Developer Console from https://console.developers.google.com. Click on the Create Project button.

  2. A new dialog box will appear. Give your project a name and a unique project ID. Then, select Create:

  3. As soon as your project is created, you will be redirected to the project dashboard. On the left-hand side, under the APIs & auth section, select APIs.

  4. Then, scroll down and enable Google Maps Android API v2:

  5. Next, under the same APIs & auth section, select Credentials. Now, select Create new key under Public API access, and then select Android key as shown in the following dialog:

  6. In the next window, enter the SHA1 fingerprint we noted in our previous section followed by a semicolon and the package name of the Android application...

Configuring Google Play services


Google Play services include the classes required for our map application. So, it is required to set it up properly. It differs for Eclipse with the ADT plugin and Gradle-based Android Studio. Let's take a look at both separately. It will be simple.

Android Studio

Configuring Google Play services with Android Studio is very simple. You need to add a line of code to your build.gradle file, which contains the Gradle build script required to build our project. There are two build.gradle files. You must add the code to the inner app folder's build.gradle file. The following screenshot shows the structure of the project:

The code should be added to the second Gradle build file that contains our app module's configuration. Add the following code to the dependencies in the Gradle build file:

compile 'com.google.android.gms:play-services:7.5.0

The structure will be similar to the following code:

dependencies {
    compile 'com.google.android.gms:play-services:7.5.0'
 ...
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Key benefits

  • Set up the development environment and obtain the Google API key to create your first map application
  • Create a cutting edge Google maps application by implementing all the concepts learned
  • A step-by-step tutorial guide that is full of pragmatic examples

Description

This book helps you to overcome the most common problems faced by users and helps you create a successful map application without any hassle. The book starts with a brief description of how to set up an environment and obtain an API key to create your map application. This book will teach you about adding markers, overlays, and information windows to the map in detail. You will then dive deep into customizing various types of maps and working with location data and Google Street view. By the end of this book, you will be able to create succinct map applications in Android using Google maps efficiently.

Who is this book for?

If you are an Android developer and want to integrate maps into your application, then this book is definitely for you. This book is intended for novice Android application developers who would like to get up and running with map rich applications using Google Maps. Some basic development experience would be helpful but it's not a mandate.

What you will learn

  • Get to know about the basic development environment setup needed to create a successful map application
  • Generate an SHA1 fingerprint, obtain an API key, and create a basic map application
  • Detect different types of maps and implement them in your application
  • Add information to your map such as markers, overlays, information windows, and shapes
  • Explore the interaction with maps and work with gestures
  • Change the different camera views in your map application
  • Work with real-time GPS location data and implementing it in your application
  • Apply Street View and integrate the StreetViewPanoroma fragment to your application
  • Employ the native Google maps application to solve some of the tasks using intents
  • Create a cutting edge Google maps application by implementing all the concepts learned
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Publication date : Sep 30, 2015
Length: 356 pages
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Language : English
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Product Details

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Length: 356 pages
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ISBN-13 : 9781849698863
Vendor :
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Languages :
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Table of Contents

12 Chapters
1. Setting Up the Development Environment Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
2. Configuring an API Key and Creating Our First Map Application Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
3. Working with Different Map Types Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
4. Adding Information to Maps Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
5. Interacting with a Map Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
6. Working with Custom Views Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
7. Working with Location Data Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
8. Know about the Street View Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
9. Google Maps Intents Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
10. Creating a Custom Map Application Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
A. Answers to Self-test Questions Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Rating distribution
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Amazon Verified review Amazon
Amazon Customer Nov 09, 2015
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Building Android applications with Google Maps functionality can be tricky and if you need help - just read this book. As a Technical Reviewer of the book I can tell you that material is very accurate and covers all possible usage of Google Maps for Android. Remember - knowledge is a key to build better apps.
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