A major update has been released for the API v2 of the Google Maps for Android where the developers have been getting many updates which are quite helpful to them.
Many of them are the ones which the devs were demanding since quite some time but they have finally got it in this update.
However, most updates are new in nature and are pretty helpful for the ones who have just started up.
The highlights of this update are the all new Lite Mode and the Toolbar, which are newly introduced.
There have been some fixes from the past as well, which were issues which have persistently been bothering the users, such as some camera issues and marker performance bugs.
A few sidenotes have also been added with the release.
Here is the complete list of the updates:
Features
• The API offers a new lite mode. When lite mode is enabled, the API serves a bitmap image instead of a fully-interactive map.
Lite mode supports all of the map types and a subset of the functionality supplied by the full API.
Markers and shapes are drawn on top of the static image client-side, so you still have full control over them.
A lite-mode map is useful when you want to display a number of small maps, or a map that is too small to offer meaningful interactivity.
• A new map toolbar is available in both lite mode and full mode, and is enabled by default in both modes for apps that are recompiled against the new client library.
Tapping on the toolbar opens the Google Maps mobile app, giving users quick access to directions and turn-by-turn navigation to the selected marker.
In lite mode the toolbar is static, whereas in full mode it slides in when the user taps a marker.
You can disable the toolbar in both modes, by callingUiSettings.setMapToolbarEnabled(false).
• The API supports a new onMapReady() callback which you can set by calling MapView.getMapAsync() orMapFragment.getMapAsync(). The onMapReady() method is called when the map is ready to be used, and provides a non-null instance of GoogleMap. This means that you no longer need to check for a non-null map before using the map. See the guide toadding a map.
• Similarly, you can now use StreetViewPanoramaView.getStreetViewPanoramaAsync() orStreetViewPanoramaFragment.getStreetViewPanoramaAsync() to get a ready-to-use Street View panorama. See thedocumentation.
Resolved Issues
• GoogleMap.CancelableCallback() now behaves correctly when animating/moving the camera.
• The visible region’s LatLngBounds are now calculated correctly in landscape mode.
• A marker performance regression is fixed.
• The problem with arrowhead shapes in triangulating convex quadrilaterals is fixed.
Notes
• getMap() is deprecated in favour of the new getMapAsync(), described above. Similarly, getStreetViewPanorama() is deprecated in favor of the new getStreetViewPanoramaAsync().
• For apps that are recompiled against the new client library, the map’s zoom controls are disabled by default. Up to this release, they have been enabled by default. You can still enable and disable them by callingUiSettings.setZoomControlsEnabled().