Android Mapping on an Emulator : API Key How To

So we've spent just over an hour trying to get maps showing up on our Android Emulator with messages like "ERROR/MapActivity(292): Couldn't get connection factory client" in the DDMS Logcat console (debug window). We were previously getting a grid that we could pan / zoom.

We have now solved it (by reading the docs). Apparently this isn't an uncommon problem so we've posted our solution here (Other than just reading the "Getting the MD5 Fingerprint of the SDK Debug Certificate" section of the "Obtaining a Maps API Key page")

Please note: all values have been altered and will not work for you!!!

On vista where Bob is the user: (see the note at the bottom of this page on how to get the location)
cd C:\Bob\Android\SDK\.android\debug.keystore

Generate the Keystore with the same credentials as the emulator is going to use:
keytool -genkey -alias androiddebugkey -keystore "C:\Bob\Android\SDK\.android\debug.keystore" -storepass android -keypass android

List the fingerprint back from the keystore:
keytool -list -alias androiddebugkey -keystore "C:\Bob\Android\SDK\.android\debug.keystore" -storepass android -keypass android

Then use that fingerprint at http://code.google. com/android/maps-api-signup.html to get your key - it also gives you a usage for your layout.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
The most important bit of the Obtaining a Maps API key page is the following:
If you are using Eclipse/ADT and are unsure where the debug keystore is located, you can select Windows > Prefs > Android > Build to check the full path, which you can then paste into a file explorer to locate the directory containing the keystore.

Hope this helps other Android Maps developers!

The Team.