A few days ago, everybody was jumping on Google for pulling off a Microsoft-like competitor move by trying to upstage Apple's own event. They said Google pretty much hated Apple and purposely crippled the Maps app on iOS and that Apple was essentially blameless and had every right to develop their own mapping solution.
Now Google demos their Maps on an iPad. Now people are saying Google admits defeat in the tablet market. They don't see that Google is showing that their apps can work well with Apple and have designed their apps to work with iOS along with Android OS. Who knows, perhaps its even a symbolic way of offering Apple a peace branch.
But nope. Google still is doing something wrong here. Can't win either way I suppose.
Well, from the masses who frequent MacRumors, no, google can't win either way.
The truth is, though that Google's 3D looks better (and the way they went about developing it is more robust) than Apple's upcoming solution. I mean, creating a 3D mesh by sending a fleet of planes all over the world to record EVERYTHING from multiple angles, and then processing it all into real 3D data?
Yes, please.
I already use google maps on an android device without an active data plan. the offline maps feature has been a life-saver for me on more than one occasion. I pre-cached a 50 mile radius around my home city, which takes up about 30MB on my SD card, and makes it possible for me to see where I am and where I am trying to go with zero network access.
My monthly cell phone bill is ~10 (I just pay for minutes I use), and I have wifi access about 90-95% of the day (in the office or at home or at a restaurant, etc). I paid $75 for a phone. That means my total 1-year cost is under $200.
I could buy some MB of 3G data if I wanted it, too. I haven't felt the need in the last 6 months.
Anyway, google has so far done maps just right. If the iphoto stuff is any indication, Apple's going to be behind from launch. They will call it amazing and revolutionary and magical, but it will leave android users scratching their heads, wondering what on earth Apple is talking about.