Question

When I use this code

   string url = "somegooglemapsurl.com";
   Intent mapLauncherIntent = new Intent(android.content.Intent.ACTION_VIEW,  Uri.parse(url));
   startActivity(mapLauncherIntent);

A selection dialog pops up asking if I want to open this map in the maps application or the browser. I’d like the transition from my application activity to Google Maps to be seamless. How can I suppress this dialog and tell android to open the map in the maps activity?

EDIT: When I get into Google Maps I want to open a directions prompt using public transpiration in a certain location. I can do this through a google maps url, but a url brings up the selection dialog.

Answer 1

I haven’t found a perfect solution, but this will at least open maps with the correct destination and public transportation pre-selected. Then all the user has to do is hit the directions button.

It also checks if google maps is installed and prefers to use that if so.

Intent intent = new Intent(android.content.Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse("http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=0,0%20(Imaginary%20Place)&dirflg=r"));
if (isAppInstalled("com.google.android.apps.maps")) {
    intent.setClassName("com.google.android.apps.maps", "com.google.android.maps.MapsActivity");
}
startActivity(intent);

 

// helper function to check if Maps is installed
private boolean isAppInstalled(String uri) {
    PackageManager pm = getApplicationContext().getPackageManager();
    boolean app_installed = false;
    try {
        pm.getPackageInfo(uri, PackageManager.GET_ACTIVITIES);
        app_installed = true;
    } catch (PackageManager.NameNotFoundException e) {
        app_installed = false;
    }
    return app_installed;
}