Moving MapFragment (SurfaceView) causes black background flickering

Of course the proper solution will be for Google to fix the problem (see Android Maps V2 issue 4639: http://code.google.com/p/gmaps-api-issues/issues/detail?id=4639).

However, one of my coworkers suggested simply extending the map beyond its container. If we extend the map fragment beyond the visible region of its container, like so:

android:layout_marginLeft="-40dp"android:layout_marginRight="-40dp"

we can reduce/eliminate the flickering. Newer devices (e.g. Galaxy Nexus) show no flickering after this hack, and older devices (e.g. LG Optimus V) show reduced flickering. We have to extend margins on both sides so that info windows are centered when they're selected.

Update: This issue was fixed by Google on Aug. 28, but I'm guessing it still has to be rolled into a release.

Here's a crazy idea, don't move the MapView ;-)

That is, create a MapView full screen width behind your app in a FrameLayout. Then lay your views on top, and punch a hole through to the MapView in the position you need to display it. When moving you'll need to update the map position to stay in sync so the user keeps seeing the same section of the map, but that should update better than moving a surface view around.

add android:hardwareAccelerated="true" in your manifest file.

eg: <application android:name=".Sample" android:hardwareAccelerated="true" />