I tried google maps extensively this weekend during a rare getaway in the wine country. It worked fantastically. It even did OK when I could not get a connection letting me wonder through what maps it did have.

The search features were great--trying to find a hotel, I just clicked the search button, found some places (which show up on the map), clicked on the icon for the hotel I was interested in and hit dial. It integrated with the phone beautifully!

IMHO, this program blows away Microsoft Live and Virtual Earth. The interface on Google Maps is much better than on Microsoft live (although the functionality seems pretty similar). I always found Microsoft live too modal--with too many windows open and to much fussing. Google is much more intuitive and easier to deal with. Virtual Earth is cool, but does not have the search and directions functions.

I used to have Microsoft Live and Virtual Earth on the beastie. Virtual Earth when I wanted a basic map quickly without the overhead and fuss of Microsoft Live; Microsoft Live when I wanted to track, search or get directions.

I dumped them both and now only have Google Maps.