Some twists of using Google Maps in your Android app - Part 1: Smart follow

Following the user's location only when he hasn't panned the map away (as otherwise the view will animate back to the current location every now and then, providing quite a frustrating experience) is a commonly used functionality in applications with maps (say, tracking your route and such). I kinda feel there should be an out-of-the-box method for this in Google Maps SDK, but whatever, here you go if you want to implement it.

Learning RxJava / RxAndroid

If you only heard about it, but didn't know where to start, you'll find these links useful:

1. NotRxJava guide for lazy folks
   Yaroslav Heriatovych explores step by step how going async will first lead you to a callback hell, and how by applying the rx approach you can get back to a clean solution without losing your sanity. Also: cats!
2. The introduction to Reactive Programming you've been missing
   Reading this article from André Staltz just might flip the switch to have that "Aha!" moment you've been waiting for. Even though the sample code is for JS, you will find it useful for your RxJava adventures. Try to implement the same project in Android as a great exercise!
3. Grokking RxJava, Part 1: The Basics
   A great four part step by step tutorial by Dan Lew (see also part 2, part 3, part 4). Also make sure you watch this video by him: Reactive Extensions: Beyond the Basics

Update: Some more links:

1. RxMarbles
   An absolutely great, interactive site to learn about rx operators the visual way
2. Party tricks with RxJava, RxAndroid & Retrolambda:
   There are some really useful code snippets to get you started in no time

Also check out A list of libraries that aid reactive development on Android .