Google Maps

For a long time I have preferred using Yahoo! Maps over MapQuest. It just seemed to me that Yahoo’s offering provided more features and often found locations that MapQuest could not. But move over boys, there’s a new kid on the block.

Google has launched a beta version of a new service called Google Maps. My early review is that it leaves the others in it’s dust. As with Google’s other resources, the interface is much cleaner than both Yahoo and Mapquest, not cluttered with advertisements. Some may appreciate the direct links for finding things such as ATMs or WiFi hotspots on Yahoo and Mapquest, but Google Maps takes a more Google’ish approach. Looking for something in particular? Type it into the ‘Local Search’ box and see what you get.

I used a well-known address in an experiment to compare results among these three services; 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC, better known as The White House (find each map yourself here: <a href=”http://us.rd.yahoo.com/maps//maps/extmap/%2A-http://maps.yahoo.com//maps_result?csz=Washington%2C+DC+20502-0001&state=…“>Yahoo, Mapquest, and Google). Of the three, only Google accurately places it’s marker for this address (maybe I’m nitpicking, Yahoo’s star lands on the entrance gate, but Mapquest lands on the wrong street, providing a back yard view of the White House from the Ellipse).

There are still a few things to be sorted out. Don’t look for a ‘bar’ near the White House, unless it’s a Bar Association you’re after. Maybe a ‘pub’? That will get you to Pueblo Memorial Airport in Colorado, no matter what your starting point. Try ‘tavern’ for better luck. And for Mac users, Google admits it’s not quite working yet in Apple’s Safari browser (my default), but that they’re working on it.

Yesterday Google Map’s directions helped us navigation our way to a high-school in Faquier County, about 45 miles away, without few hitches. The printed map didn’t highlight the route like the on-screen one, and the directions came on page 2, requiring a run back into the house from the driveway to grab them. Minor bumps. All in all, I’m eager to see how Google Maps develops. It’s off to a promising start.