Design idea: open source offline map application on Android platform

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In order to realize the full potential of location applications on smartphones, such applications should support offline usage mode and provide original map graphics. In view of this, creating a set of custom offline maps is undoubtedly the best choice. In this regard, we also faced the challenge of building a separate library based on this idea. As an exercise, I developed the mAppWidget code base.

We recently decided to open source it, and today mAppWidget is available to everyone who needs to build a custom offline mapping solution for mobile.

How is our approach different?

As a solution designed to quickly design and implement custom map integrations, mAppWidget uses graphics technology to generate a large map from many small images (i.e. tiles). This solution can improve real-time performance while saving memory capacity, which is extremely important for mobile devices. The scaling of graphics is no longer limited to the inherent resolution of the input map image. When the image is out of the maximum magnification level, the library can also use digital zoom mechanisms to further zoom in. At the same time, mAppWidget is more than just a tile engine. In summary, this solution can use a simple way to highlight the user's current location through a GPS map calibration mechanism.

Why create your own section?

Having your own section allows you to turn any image into a map (e.g. a travel map, an amusement park map, etc.), and gives developers more room for customization. This is a definite advantage when you need to show more specific, detailed, or temporary objects on the map - such as marking the location of some decommissioned attractions in an amusement park - or to give a map or application design a desired look and feel.

Why choose open source?

At Lemberg, we are passionate about our development projects. My colleagues and I often exchange tips, tricks, and prototypes, which we incorporate into mAppWidget, Drupal modules, and other open source projects. Why not share these projects with the community as practical gifts? With this in mind, we decided to publish articles on our blog and open source the code.

In addition, we have also referenced a lot of excellent open source solutions, so open sourcing some of our work means giving back to the entire industry. This is the real embodiment of the spirit of open source.

You may also like mAppWidget if...

Whether you are an Android developer or an application user, the main goal of this library is to reduce development time and thus reduce the development cost of offline map products.

mAppWidget is mainly used in the tourism and medical industries. The setting options include private resorts, ski resorts, outdoor activities, city guide applications, national parks and other environments that require functional solutions such as mapping/location tracking but do not have Internet connection.

Participate in the development of mAppWidget project

To learn more about the mAppWidget project and download the code, visit the corresponding page on GitHub here. In addition, you can download a demo version of mAppWidget through the Google Play app market here. For more information on how to use the code library and answers to common questions, click here to view the user guide.

Future Development Direction

As new technologies and solutions emerge, I hope to be able to further improve the mAppWidget application. For now, we are focusing on contributing to other related open source projects, including the DrupalCon iOS and Android applications plus various Drupal modules, so please stay tuned for more information. In the meantime, everyone is welcome to join the development of mAppWidget so that everyone can do their part for open source.