Google Map Wars

As reported in the WSJ, Google is launchng an upgrade to its mapping service-Google Earth and Google maps. This comes ahead of Apple's launch of its mapping service, hoping to capture some of the Google map user share.
Accompanying the article was a photo, in 3D, of downtown San Francisco. The City never looked so good! Is this the future of online searches? Will our expectations rise again to another lofty height? Apparently, so. There's little going back with new technology. Once a standard is accepted, users will not settle for less, and you cannot buy less anyway: it's not for sale anymore, anywhere.
So, Apple and Google will continue to duke it out over maps. What geographer could have anticipated such a contest? Not in his wildest dreams did the cartographer of old think his science would be the talk of the town and the business world in 2012.
Having had the pleasure of using a Garmin navigator(numi) in Patagonia a few months ago and being grateful for its info(despite obvious limits), this contest between giants will certainly benefit future users of their services on the web.
Tahomans can use this service to find the best locations for all activities around Tahoe, especially when signs and posts are obscured by snow and foul weather.
Have you checked your map lately? Can you find Tahoma on the West Shore? Where exactly is Rubicon Peak? Where is the source of Meeks Creek? Where is the Upper Truckee River? Where is the Little Truckee River? Find out on the web.