Google maps

Android allows us to integrate google maps in our application. You can show any location on the map , or can show different routes on the map e.t.c. You can also customise the map according to your choices.

Google Map – Layout file

Now you have to add the map fragment into the xml layout file. Its syntax is given below −

<fragment

   android:id=”@+id/map”

   android:name=”com.google.android.gms.maps.MapFragment”

   android:layout_width=”match_parent”

   android:layout_height=”match_parent”/>

Google Map – AndroidManifest file

The next thing you need to do is to add some permissions along with the Google Map API key in the AndroidManifest.XML file. Its syntax is given below −

<!–Permissions–>

<uses-permission android:name=”android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE” />

<uses-permission android:name=”android.permission.INTERNET” />

<uses-permission android:name=”com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.

   READ_GSERVICES” />

<uses-permission android:name=”android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE” />

<!–Google MAP API key–>

<meta-data

   android:name=”com.google.android.maps.v2.API_KEY”

   android:value=”AIzaSyDKymeBXNeiFWY5jRUejv6zItpmr2MVyQ0″ />

Customising Google Map

You can easily customise google map from its default view , and change it according to your demand.

Adding Marker

You can place a maker with some text over it displaying your location on the map. It can be done via addMarker() method. Its syntax is given below −

final LatLng TutorialsPoint = new LatLng(21 , 57);

Marker TP = googleMap.addMarker(new MarkerOptions()

   .position(TutorialsPoint).title(“TutorialsPoint”));

Changing Map Type

You can also change the type of the MAP. There are four different types of map and each gives a different view of the map. These types are Normal,Hybrid,Satellite and terrain. You can use them as below

googleMap.setMapType(GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_NORMAL);

googleMap.setMapType(GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_HYBRID);

googleMap.setMapType(GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_SATELLITE);

googleMap.setMapType(GoogleMap.MAP_TYPE_TERRAIN);

Enable/Disable zoom

You can also enable or disable the zoom gestures in the map by calling the setZoomControlsEnabled(boolean) method. Its syntax is given below −

googleMap.getUiSettings().setZoomGesturesEnabled(true);

Apart from these customization, there are other methods available in the GoogleMap class that help you customise the map. They are listed below −