Working with the Google Maps Android API in Android Studio

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When Google decided to introduce a map service many years ago, it is hard to say whether or not they ever anticipated having a version available for integration into mobile applications. When the first web based version of what would eventually be called Google Maps was introduced in 2005, the iPhone had yet to ignite the smartphone revolution and the company that was developing the Android operating system would not be acquired by Google for another six months. Whatever aspirations Google had for the future of Google Maps, it is remarkable to consider that all of the power of Google Maps can now be accessed directly via Android applications using the Google Maps Android API.

This chapter is intended to provide an overview of the Google Maps system and Google Maps Android API. The chapter will provide an overview of the different elements that make up the API, detail the steps necessary to configure a development environment to work with Google Maps and then work through some code examples demonstrating some of the basics of Google Maps Android integration.

Contents

The Elements of the Google Maps Android API

The Google Maps Android API consists of a core set of classes that combine to provide mapping capabilities in Android applications. The key elements of a map are as follows:

• GoogleMap – The main class of the Google Maps Android API. This class is responsible for downloading and displaying map tiles and for displaying and responding to map controls. The GoogleMap object is not created directly by the application but is instead created when MapView or MapFragment instances are created. A reference to the GoogleMap object can be obtained within application code via a call to the getMap() method of a MapView, MapFragment or SupportMapFragment instance.
• MapView - A subclass of the View class, this class provides the view canvas onto which the map is drawn by the GoogleMap object, allowing a map to be placed in the user interface layout of an activity.
• SupportFragmentMap – A subclass of the Fragment class, this class allows a map to be placed within a Fragment in an Android layout.
• Marker – The purpose of the Marker class is to allow locations to be marked on a map. Markers are added to a map by obtaining a reference to the GoogleMap object associated with a map and then making a call to the addMarker() method of that object instance. The position of a marker is defined via Longitude and Latitude. Markers can be configured in a number of ways, including specifying a title, text and an icon. Markers may also be made to be “draggable”, allowing the user to move the marker to different positions on a map.
• Shapes – The drawing of lines and shapes on a map is achieved through the use of the Polyline, Polygon and Circle classes.
• UiSettings – The UiSettings class provides a level of control from within an application of which user interface controls appear on a map. Using this class, for example, the application can control whether or not the zoom, current location and compass controls appear on a map. This class can also be used to configure which touch screen gestures are recognized by the map.
• My Location Layer – When enabled, the My Location Layer displays a button on the map which, when selected by the user, centers the map on the user’s current geographical location. If the user is stationary, this location is represented on the map by a blue marker. If the user is in motion the location is represented by a chevron indicating the user’s direction of travel.

The best way to gain familiarity with the Google Maps Android API is to work through an example. The remainder of this chapter will create a simple Google Maps based application while highlighting the key areas of the API.

Creating the Google Maps Project

Create a new project in Android Studio, entering MapDemo into the Application name field and com.ebookfrenzy as the Company Domain setting before clicking on the Next button.

On the form factors screen, enable the Phone and Tablet option and set the minimum SDK setting to API 19: Android 4.4 (KitKat). Continue to proceed through the screens, requesting the creation of a Google Maps Activity named MapDemoActivity with a corresponding layout named activity_map_demo.

Obtaining Your Developer Signature

Before an application can make use of the Google Maps Android API, it must first be registered within the Google APIs Console. Before an application can be registered, however, the developer signature (also referred to as the SHA-1 fingerprint) associated with your development environment must be identified. This is contained in a keystore file located in the .android subdirectory of your home directory and may be obtained using the keytool utility provided as part of the Java SDK as outlined below. In to order make the process easier, however, Android Studio adds some additional files to the project when the Google Maps Activity option is selected during the project creation process. One of these files is named google_maps_api.xml and is located in the app -> res -> values folder of the project.

Contained within the google_maps_api.xml file is a link to the Google Developer console. Copy and paste this link into a browser window. Once loaded, a page similar to the following will appear:

Figure 50-1

Change the setting of the Select a project menu to Create a new project before clicking on the Continue button. After a short delay, the new project will be created and a panel will appear (Figure 50 2) providing the option to create an Android key for the application.

Figure 50-2

Check that the SHA-1 fingerprint and application package name match those listed in the google_maps_api.xml file and click on the Create button to generate the API key for your application.

The Google Developer Console will update and display the Credentials screen, including a section entitled Key for Android applications. Within this section of the page, highlight and copy the API KEY value as shown in Figure 50-3:

Figure 50-3

Return to Android Studio and paste the API key into the YOUR_KEY_HERE section of the file:

<string name="google_maps_key" templateMergeStrategy="preserve">YOUR_KEY_HERE</string> 

Testing the Application

Perform a test run of the application to verify that the API key is correctly configured. Assuming that the configuration is correct, the application will run and display a map on the screen.

In the event that a map is not displayed, check the following areas:

• If the application is running on an emulator, make sure that the emulator is running a version of Android that includes the Google APIs. The current operating system can be changed for an AVD configuration by selecting the Tools -> Android -> AVD Manager menu option, clicking on the pencil icon in the Actions column of the AVD followed by the Change… button next to the current Android version. Within the system image dialog, select a target which includes the Google APIs.
• Check the LogCat output for any areas relating to authentication problems with regard to the Google Maps API. This usually means the API key was entered incorrectly or that the application package name does not match that specified when the API key was generated.
• Verify within the Google API Console that the Google Maps Android API has been enabled in the Services panel.

Understanding Geocoding and Reverse Geocoding

It is impossible to talk about maps and geographical locations without first covering the subject of Geocoding. Geocoding can best be described as the process of converting a textual based geographical location (such as a street address) into geographical coordinates expressed in terms of longitude and latitude. Geocoding can be achieved using the Android Geocoder class. An instance of the Geocoder class can, for example, be passed a string representing a location such as a city name, street address or airport code. The Geocoder will attempt to find a match for the location and return a list of Address objects that potentially match the location string, ranked in order with the closest match at position 0 in the list. A variety of information can then be extracted from the Address objects, including the longitude and latitude of the potential matches.

The following code, for example, requests the location of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.:

import java.io.IOException;
import java.util.List;

import android.location.Address;
import android.location.Geocoder;
.
.
.
double latitude;
double longitude;

List<Address> geocodeMatches = null;

try {
	geocodeMatches = 
          new Geocoder(this).getFromLocationName(
               "600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560", 1);
    } catch (IOException e) {
	// TODO Auto-generated catch block
	e.printStackTrace();
}

if (!geocodeMatches.isEmpty())
{
	latitude = geocodeMatches.get(0).getLatitude(); 
	longitude = geocodeMatches.get(0).getLongitude();
}

Note that the value of 1 is passed through as the second argument to the getFromLocationName() method. This simply tells the Geocoder to return only one result in the array. Given the specific nature of the address provided, there should only be one potential match. For more vague location names, however, it may be necessary to request more potential matches and allow the user to choose the correct one.

The above code is an example of forward-geocoding in that coordinates are calculated based on a text location description. Reverse-geocoding, as the name suggests, involves the translation of geographical coordinates into a human readable address string. Consider, for example, the following code:

import java.io.IOException;
import java.util.List;

import android.location.Address;
import android.location.Geocoder;
.
.
.
List<Address> geocodeMatches = null;
String Address1;
String Address2;
String State;
String Zipcode;
String Country;

try {
	geocodeMatches = 
	  new Geocoder(this).getFromLocation(38.8874245, -77.0200729, 1);
} catch (IOException e) {
	// TODO Auto-generated catch block
	e.printStackTrace();
}

if (!geocodeMatches.isEmpty())
{
	Address1 = geocodeMatches.get(0).getAddressLine(0);
	Address2 = geocodeMatches.get(0).getAddressLine(1);
	State = geocodeMatches.get(0).getAdminArea();
	Zipcode = geocodeMatches.get(0).getPostalCode();
	Country = geocodeMatches.get(0).getCountryName();
}

In this case the Geocoder object is initialized with latitude and longitude values via the getFromLocation() method. Once again, only a single matching result is requested. The text based address information is then extracted from the resulting Address object.

It should be noted that the geocoding is not actually performed on the Android device, but rather on a server to which the device connects when a translation is required and the results subsequently returned when the translation is complete. As such, geocoding can only take place when the device has an active internet connection.

Adding a Map to an Application

The simplest way to add a map to an application is to specify it in the user interface layout XML file for an activity. The following example layout file shows the SupportMapFragment instance added to the activity_map_demo.xml file created by Android Studio:

<fragment xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    android:id="@+id/map"
    tools:context=".MapDemoActivity"
    android:name="com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment"/> 

Displaying the User’s Current Location

The user’s current location may be displayed on the map by obtaining a reference to the GoogleMap object associated with the displayed map and calling the setMyLocationEnabled() method of that instance, passing through a value of true. Edit the onCreate() method in the MapDemoActivty.java file to enable display of the user’s current location:

package com.ebookfrenzy.mapdemo;

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

import com.google.android.gms.maps.GoogleMap;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.model.LatLng;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.model.MarkerOptions;

public class MapDemoActivity extends FragmentActivity {

    private GoogleMap mMap; // Might be null if Google Play services APK is not available.

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

        if (mMap != null) {
            mMap.setMyLocationEnabled(true);
        }
    }
.
.
.
}

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Changing the Map Type

The type of map displayed can be modified dynamically by making a call to the setMapType() method of the corresponding GoogleMap object, passing through one of the following values:

• GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_NONE – An empty grid with no mapping tiles displayed.
• GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_NORMAL – The standard view consisting of the classic road map.
• GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_SATELLITE – Displays the satellite imagery of the map region.
• GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_HYBRID – Displays satellite imagery with the road maps superimposed.
• GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_TERRAIN – Displays topographical information such as contour lines and colors.

The following code change to the onCreate() method, for example, switches a map to Terrain mode:

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

        if (mMap != null) {
            mMap.setMyLocationEnabled(true);
            mMap.setMapType(GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_TERRAIN);
        }

    }

Alternatively, the map type may be specified in the XML layout file in which the map is embedded using the map:mapType property together with a value of none, normal, hybrid, satellite or terrain. In order to be able to use this directive, however, it is first necessary to add the map namespace to the XML resource file in which the directives are being used:

xmlns:map="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"

For example:

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

Displaying Map Controls to the User

The Google Maps Android API provides a number of controls that may be optionally displayed to the user consisting of zoom in and out buttons, a “my location” button and a compass.

Whether or not the zoom and compass controls are displayed may be controlled either programmatically or within the map element in XML layout resources. In order to configure the controls programmatically, a reference to the UiSettings object associated with the GoogleMap object must be obtained:

UiSettings mapSettings;
mapSettings = map.getUiSettings();

The zoom controls are enabled and disabled via calls to the setZoomControlsEnabled() method of the UiSettings object. For example:

mapSettings.setZoomControlsEnabled(true);

Alternatively, the map:uiZoomControls property may be set within the map element of the XML resource file:

map:uiZoomControls="false"

The compass may be displayed either via a call to the setCompassEnabled() method of the UiSettings instance, or through XML resources using the map:uiCompass property. The “My Location” button will only appear when My Location mode is enabled as outlined earlier in this chapter. The button may be prevented from appearing even when in this mode via a call to the setMyLocationButtonEnabled() method of the UiSettings instance.

Handling Map Gesture Interaction

The Google Maps Android API is capable of responding to a number of different user interactions. These interactions can be used to change the area of the map displayed, the zoom level and even the angle of view (such that a 3D representation of the map area is displayed for certain cities).

Map Zooming Gestures

Support for gestures relating to zooming in and out of a map may be enabled or disabled using the setZoomControlsEnabled() method of the UiSettings object associated with the GoogleMap instance. For example, the following code enables zoom gestures for our example map:

import com.google.android.gms.maps.UiSettings;
.
.
.
UiSettings mapSettings;
mapSettings = mMap.getUiSettings();

The same result can be achieved within an XML resource file by setting the map:uiZoomGestures property to true or false.

When enabled, zooming will occur when the user makes pinching gestures on the screen. Similarly, a double tap will zoom in whilst a two finger tap will zoom out. One finger zooming gestures, on the other hand, are performed by tapping twice but not releasing the second tap and then sliding the finger up and down on the screen to zoom in and out respectively.

Map Scrolling/Panning Gestures

A scrolling, or panning gesture allows the user to move around the map by dragging the map around the screen with a single finger motion. Scrolling gestures may be enabled within code via a call to the setScrollGesturesEnabled() method of the UiSettings instance:

UiSettings mapSettings;
mapSettings = mMap.getUiSettings();	
mapSettings.setScrollGesturesEnabled(true);

Alternatively, scrolling on a map instance may be enabled in an XML resource layout file using the map:uiScrollGestures property.

Map Tilt Gestures

Tilt gestures allow the user to tilt the angle of projection of the map by placing two fingers on the screen and moving them up and down to adjust the tilt angle. Tilt gestures may be enabled or disabled via a call to the setTiltGesturesEnabled() method of the UiSettings instance, for example:

UiSettings mapSettings;
mapSettings = mMap.getUiSettings();	
mapSettings.setTiltGesturesEnabled(true);

Tilt gestures may also be enabled and disabled using the map:uiTiltGestures property in an XML layout resource file.

Map Rotation Gestures

By placing two fingers on the screen and rotating then in a circular motion, the user may rotate the orientation of a map when map rotation gestures are enabled. This gesture support is enabled and disabled in code via a call to the setRotateGesturesEnabled() method of the UiSettings instance, for example:

UiSettings mapSettings;
mapSettings = mMap.getUiSettings();	
mapSettings.setRotateGesturesEnabled(true);

Rotation gestures may also be enabled or disabled using the map:uiRotateGestures property in an XML layout resource file.

Creating Map Markers

Markers are used to notify the user of locations on a map and take the form of either a standard or custom icon. Markers may also include a title and optional text (referred to as a snippet) and may be configured such that they can be dragged to different locations on the map by the user. When tapped by the user an info window will appear displaying additional information about the marker location.

Markers are represented by instances of the Marker class and are added to a map via a call to the addMarker() method of the corresponding GoogleMap object. Passed through as an argument to this method is a MarkerOptions class instance containing the various options required for the marker such as the title and snippet text. The location of a marker is defined by specifying latitude and longitude values, also included as part of the MarkerOptions instance. For example, the following code adds a marker including a title, snippet and a position to a specific location on the map:

import com.google.android.gms.maps.model.Marker;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.model.LatLng;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.model.MarkerOptions;
.
.
.
LatLng MUSEUM = new LatLng(38.8874245, -77.0200729);
Marker museum = mMap.addMarker(new MarkerOptions()
		    .position(MUSEUM)
		    .title("Museum")
		    .snippet("National Air and Space Museum"));

When executed, the above code will mark the location specified which, when tapped, will display an info window containing the title and snippet as shown in Figure 50-10:

<google>ADSDAQBOX_FLOW</google>

Figure 50-10

Controlling the Map Camera

Because Android device screens are flat and the world is a sphere, the Google Maps Android API uses the Mercator projection to represent the earth on a flat surface. The default view of the map is presented to the user as though through a camera suspended above the map and pointing directly down at the map. The Google Maps Android API allows the target, zoom, bearing and tilt of this camera to be changed in real-time from within the application:

• Target – The location of the center of the map within the device display specified in terms of longitude and latitude.
• Zoom – The zoom level of the camera specified in levels. Increasing the zoom level by 1.0 doubles the width of the amount of the map displayed.
• Tilt – The viewing angle of the camera specified as a position on an arc spanning directly over the center of the viewable map area measured in degrees from the top of the arc (this being the nadir of the arc where the camera points directly down to the map).
• Bearing – The orientation of the map in degrees measured in a clockwise direction from North.

Camera changes are made by creating an instance of the CameraUpdate class with the appropriate settings. CameraUpdate instances are created by making method calls to the CameraUpdateFactory class. Once a CameraUpdate instance has been created, it is applied to the map via a call to the moveCamera() method of the GoogleMap instance. To obtain a smooth animated effect as the camera changes, the animateCamera() method may be called instead of moveCamera().

A summary of CameraUpdateFactory methods is as follows:

• CameraUpdateFactory.zoomIn() – Provides a CameraUpdate instance zoomed in by one level.
• CameraUpdateFactory.zoomOut() - Provides a CameraUpdate instance zoomed out by one level.
• CameraUpdateFactory.zoomTo(float) - Generates a CameraUpdate instance that changes the zoom level to the specified value.
• CameraUpdateFactory.zoomBy(float) – Provides a CameraUpdate instance with a zoom level increased or decreased by the specified amount.
• CameraUpdateFactory.zoomBy(float, Point) - Creates a CameraUpdate instance that increases or decreases the zoom level by the specified value.
• CameraUpdateFactory.newLatLng(LatLng) - Creates a CameraUpdate instance that changes the camera's target latitude and longitude.
• CameraUpdateFactory.newLatLngZoom(LatLng, float) - Generates a CameraUpdate instance that changes the camera's latitude, longitude and zoom.
• CameraUpdateFactory.newCameraPosition(CameraPosition) - Returns a CameraUpdate instance that moves the camera to the specified position. A CameraPosition instance can be obtained using CameraPosition.Builder().

The following code, for example, zooms in the camera by one level using animation:

map.animateCamera(CameraUpdateFactory.zoomIn());

The following code, on the other hand, moves the camera to a new location and adjusts the zoom level to 10 without animation:

private static final LatLng MUSEUM =
       new LatLng(38.8874245, -77.0200729);

map.moveCamera(CameraUpdateFactory.newLatLngZoom(MUSEUM, 10));

Finally, the next code example uses CameraPosition.Builder() to create a CameraPosition object with changes to the target, zoom, bearing and tilt. This change is then applied to the camera using animation:

CameraPosition cameraPosition = new CameraPosition.Builder()
    .target(MUSEUM)
    .zoom(10)
    .bearing(70)
    .tilt(25)
    .build();
map.animateCamera(CameraUpdateFactory.newCameraPosition(cameraPosition));

Summary

This chapter has provided an overview of the key classes and methods that make up the Google Maps Android API and outlined the steps involved in preparing both the development environment and an application project to make use of the API.

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