We briefly discuss the Google Maps API in advance of a more detailed exploration in the associated lab.

Mapbox, like Google, provides a commercial mapping service with a limited free offering that we avail of for learning purposes.

Introduce a Google Map including necessary supporting resources such as Google Play Services Library and a personal API key. Additionally, support a landscape layout, validation of geolocation input, immediate mirroring any changes in this input in the view title and support for smaller small factor devices.

In a previous lab our MyRent app consumed a GoogleMap API. Here we provide an alternative mapping system provided by MapBox. This is based on the open source OpenStreetMap project. This approach has the advantage of providing greater flexibility, not requiring keys and, importantly, resulting in a significantly smaller release build.