Google Maps integration on Blackberry Native Application

 There is no library(API' s) for Google Maps on blackberry. First we need to install Google maps on device- link http://maps.google.com .

Google Places API doesn't support on blackberry device.

Blackberry Google maps features(Version 4.5.3)
1. Directions 2. Layers- Traffic, Satellite,Terrain,Latitude,Driving Directions,Transit Lines,My Maps.

As my research have 3 options.

Option 1: Using already installed Google maps app instance. Send some data(Location - lat/long) to

the Google Maps app instance and then have it launch/run on its application .

- Using KML (Keyhole Markup language).

Keyhole Markup Language (KML) is an XML notation for expressing geographic

annotation and visualization within Internet-based, two-dimensional maps and three-

dimensional Earth browsers. KML was developed for use with Google Earth, which was

originally named Keyhole Earth Viewer.

Syntax: <Placemark>

<name>Corner House, Jayanagar</name>

<description>Local business</description>

<styleUrl>#yellow</styleUrl>

<Point>

<coordinates>77.584929,12.9228,0</coordinates>

</Point>

</Placemark>

Two Methods to get Near by restaurants.(Places).

1. Get near by restaurants by Using Server Http Call

- From mobile send current location lat/long using HTTP call to server-

Parameter( Latitude , longitude, radius) .

- Server will scan near by restaurants lat/long using Google maps Javascript API.

- Generate KML file & send it to Mobile phone.

- Blackberry Google Maps app instance display places using KML file.

2. Get Near by restaurants using “ Facebook Graph API “

- First we need to install facebook application on handset.

- Create Access token key using this URL - http://developers.facebook.com/tools/explorer/

- Using this URL get near by restaurants details with lat/Long.

https://graph.facebook.com/search?q=restaurants&type=place&center=

-80.5207,43.46315&distance=16000&access_token= Access Key.

- Above url retauns Json structure.

• Using json – create KML & pass it Google Maps App instance.

Disadvantages: 1. Display Google maps apps default features like .

- Search map.

- Get directions.

- My Location.

- Layers.

- Satelite view, Clear map.

- Help, zoom , Sign in.

2. we cannot control on google maps apps default features.

3. Just google maps application place it on application with some markers using

KML. No other controls on map.

Option 2:

Sign up for a Google Maps Premier account and use the Static Maps API.

Google Maps API Premier supported extra Features

                                         Maps API       Maps API Premier

1. Street View                        Yes                      Yes

2. Driving direction.              Yes                      Yes

3. Advanced Geocoding.        --                        Yes

4. Larger Static Maps.            --                        Yes

5. Internal Deployments.       --                         Yes

6. Control of Advertising      --                          Yes

Option 3: Blackberry Provides Web Works API(Platform) .

- This is mainly HTML5 Framework .

- Using this API ,we can create good background and skills are in using web technologies

like HTML5, CSS and JavaScript, JQuery(Limited features).

- This platform extends some of the native device capabilities like

1. system utilities.

2. dialogs.

3. invoking other apps.

4. GPS details.

- This Platform uses device browser on application.

Google Maps:

We can use Google maps official Javascript API on this platform.

Advantages:

1. Use browser supported Google maps features using javascript API.

2. Better design – HTML5 & CSS.

Disadvantages:

1. Performance issues – Takes some seconds to load maps.