Using the pre-installed Google Maps instead of an own activity by using Intents?

Question

I just wanted to know whether it is possible to pass geocoords to the google maps app bis intents or something similar.

I wrote an app for displaying route, coordinations and so on by myself, but wouldn't it be more elegant to ask google maps itself for displaying this?

I don't know if this is possible, but maybe, one of you can answer this question.

IF THIS IS POSSIBLE, is it also possible to ask google maps to calculate the route by my CURRENT POSITION?

It would be great if one of you can show me a skeleton/dummy code. I have no idea how the intents would have to look like.

Answer 1

The documentation on Google Intents is here: https://developer.android.com/guide/appendix/g-app-intents.html

Unfortunately, it is (to my knowledge) currently limited to simply displaying a location, not a route. The user could then use that location to plot their own route, though.

Answer 2

There is a way, but you would need to get the coordinates of your current location by yourself (setting up a location listener). Once you have your location and your destination coordinates, fire this intent (this will let the user choose between Google Maps or Browser):

Intent intent = new Intent(android.content.Intent.ACTION_VIEW, 
Uri.parse("http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=20.344,34.34&daddr=20.5666,45.345"));
startActivity(intent);

Answer 3

IF THIS IS POSSIBLE, is it also possible to ask google maps to calculate the route by my CURRENT POSITION?

No. The only documented Intents simply open a map on a point. There are no documented Intents at this time to launch straight into the navigation portion of the app.

Sorry!