How to detect an android device whether it supports google maps API

Question

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

I am wondering do all android devices support map API, becuase this api is an optinal api and i

Answer 1

I needed to see if the library existed before attempting any calling, so I could fill the relevant preferences before-hand. Here's the code I came up with to check.

public static boolean hasSystemSharedLibraryInstalled(Context ctx,
        String libraryName) {
    boolean hasLibraryInstalled = false;
    if (!TextUtils.isEmpty(libraryName)) {
        String[] installedLibraries = ctx.getPackageManager()
                .getSystemSharedLibraryNames();
        if (installedLibraries != null) {
            for (String s : installedLibraries) {
                if (libraryName.equals(s)) {
                    hasLibraryInstalled = true;
                    break;
                }
            }
        }
    }
    return hasLibraryInstalled;
}

And then I check to see if com.google.android.maps is installed.

Answer 2

You are right, some Devices, like Archos 5IT and Some Tablet does not have Google Maps, Android Market, etc...

Here is my Code. BelgianMap is a MapActivity:

try {
    Intent i = new Intent(InfoGare.this, BelgianMap.class);
    startActivityForResult(i, 0);
}
catch(ActivityNotFoundException e) {
    Toast.makeText(context, "Google Map not found", Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
}

But maybe there is an other way to find that at the creation of your application and display a message. That might be better.