Agree completely.  I have an app that may never have internet connection.  I would like to still use the google maps API for offline overlays.  However this is currently not possible as the API key must be validated even if I never display google maps.

Has there been any traction on this request?

We're also working on an offline map mode for our app.  Would LOVE to see this fixed!!!

We would benefit greatly form this functionality.  Many of our applications are used in a fully disconnected mode.  Has anyone figured out how to use the 'GoogleMap' locally without an internet connection?

I'm also creating an app with offline maps using mbtiles and would love to use Google API without need for internet connection.

Hey guys, is this a different issue discussed in this thread?
https://code.google.com/p/gmaps-api-issues/issues/detail?id=5017

Sounds like it is fixed?

Nope. We need the ability to never have an internet connection. Currently a connection is needed once to validate the API key. We need to launch the app with no internet connection and be able to use offline overlays

I need offline maps. Maybe I need a different api version? Is api v4 out soon?

Ahhhhh, fix this!!!!

I am working on a travel/tourism app and after install users might run the app without an internet connection for the first time. A fully offline feature would be greatly appreciated!

I'm using MAP_TYPE_NONE for an offline app and the first time key check is a show stopper for me.  
Appreciate the complexity of supporting this since it may open up a back door without authorization.

We switched to OSM droid without too much trouble in the end.