Chapter    15

Locations and Mapping with Android

If I asked you what the most common task anyone performs on a mobile device is, I’m guessing that using maps would be high on your list of responses. Of course there are other popular tasks—like watching videos, messaging friends, searching in general, and making calls—but searching for locations and seeking directions to them are some of the most common activities people perform.

From their inception in 2008, Android devices have supported and promoted a range of options for working with locations and maps. The most obvious and most used service is Google Maps, which not only exists as a standalone application on most (but not all) Android devices, but which you can also use to power a range ...

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