Apps Does all Android Devices support Map API

[lovegillsa]

Hi all,

I am currently developing an android application uses Google map API.

I am wondering does all android devices support map API, becuase this api is an optianal api and it is an add-on to the platform.

If not, how could I detect whether an device support map api programatically??


any comment or suggestions are welcom

 

[Nil]

If your app requires the use of the Maps library, you can specify this in your manifest using the <uses-library> element. See Market Filters for an example (and other elements).

If you have to test for it programmatically, I'm not sure how to go about doing that.

 

[lovegillsa]

If your app requires the use of the Maps library, you can specify this in your manifest using the <uses-library> element. See Market Filters for an example (and other elements).

If you have to test for it programmatically, I'm not sure how to go about doing that.

Thanks for you reply.

I have finished my application. I've tested on Android 2.1, 2.2 devices, it worked fine.

But I don't have a device that does not support map API, I am worried that my application won't be able to run on that device.

What I need to know is programatically detect wether the device support map API, and catch the exception and do something else.


Because, using map capability is only one of features of my application, I would like to let those devices that doesn't support map api are still able to download and run my application with out effecting other features of my app.

 

[jonbonazza]

It depends on what you mean by "All devices." "All" is a very broad term, especially when it comes to android devices. Basically, to utilize the Map API, the device must have GPS capabilities. Every smartphone on todays market does have GPS access, but some devices, such as some tablets or pcs, may not have these capabilities.

It is near impossible for an advanced application to be supported by every (again, a very broad term) device out there. That is the job of the development team to decide which devices it wants to aim for as well as which of those target devices will be supported. This is all part of the development process and would be impossible to explain in a single post. I suggest reading up on the development life-cycle.

 

[lovegillsa]

It depends on what you mean by "All devices." "All" is a very broad term, especially when it comes to android devices. Basically, to utilize the Map API, the device must have GPS capabilities. Every smartphone on todays market does have GPS access, but some devices, such as some tablets or pcs, may not have these capabilities.

It is near impossible for an advanced application to be supported by every (again, a very broad term) device out there. That is the job of the development team to decide which devices it wants to aim for as well as which of those target devices will be supported. This is all part of the development process and would be impossible to explain in a single post. I suggest reading up on the development life-cycle.

hi I had looked at this post
http://forevergeeks.com/google-maps-turn-by-turn-navigation-for-android-1-5

it says that Google Maps is not available for Android 1.5. it is only available for android 1.6,2.0 and 2.1.

But when we build android application for 1.6,2.0,2.1, there are Google api excluded or included .
I just want to know are there any 1.6,2.0,2.1 devices that do not support google api either?????

 

[jonbonazza]

hi I had looked at this post
http://forevergeeks.com/google-maps-turn-by-turn-navigation-for-android-1-5

it says that Google Maps is not available for Android 1.5. it is only available for android 1.6,2.0 and 2.1.

But when we build android application for 1.6,2.0,2.1, there are Google api excluded or included .
I just want to know are there any 1.6,2.0,2.1 devices that do not support google api either?????

Google maps is defintely supported by 1.5. Navigation might not be though. They are two seperate things.

As far as phones go, there are no android devices that do not support google maps in some form or another.

 

[lovegillsa]

Google maps is defintely supported by 1.5. Navigation might not be though. They are two seperate things.

As far as phones go, there are no android devices that do not support google maps in some form or another.

Does that mean all 1.6,2.0 and 2.1 OS devices support google map API???

 

[jonbonazza]

Does that mean all 1.6,2.0 and 2.1 OS devices support google map API???

All 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, and 2.2 devices support Google maps API. I have tested it on all of these.

 

[lovegillsa]

All 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, and 2.2 devices support Google maps API. I have tested it on all of these.

But some tablet device such as Archos 5IT which is powered by Android and OS version 1.5, but it doesn't support Google Map API

 

[jonbonazza]

But some tablet device such as Archos 5IT which is powered by Android and OS version 1.5, but it doesn't support Google Map API

Like I said, the device MUST have GPS capabilites. All phones will have this, most tablets will not.

 

[lovegillsa]

Like I said, the device MUST have GPS capabilites. All phones will have this, most tablets will not.

some of tablets can be used as GPS navigation. but some of them don't.
How can I detect the hardware of GPS presence and Google Map api programatically??

 

[lovegillsa]

I would like to run my app on those Tablet as well ...

Don't want to build seperate APK for those don't support Google API and GPS

 

[blundell]

All 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, and 2.2 devices support Google maps API. I have tested it on all of these.

And I believe any device without the capability of google maps will filter these in it's market place using the App's manifest, so don't worry to much!

 

[Leo2705]

Check this post: Disable MapView if it is not supported - Stack Overflow
It should work if you are in version 2.0 or above.
If you are working in version 1.5 or 1.6 unfortunatelly your application will not be displayed in the market if the device doesn't support google API; a second application should be developed without google API functionality: two versions, double maintenance effort...

 

[softex]

This worked for me:
Use the (undocumented?) <uses-library android:name="com.google.android.maps" android:required="false" /> in the manifest. This will allow installation in a maps-api non-supported device. (and, yes, there are many of those coming out of South China - with and without GPS)

Then check this out:
Can I Use this Intent? | Android Developers

You can still have all your maps-api code intact in the app (no need for 2 versions), just code your UI to prevent running it. (In my case I greyed-out a preference). As noted, technique outlined above effectively predicts something that won't work, and allows you to respond (no FCs), instead of just reacting to a problem

-Dave