Google Maps: A new service from Google
that will light a fire underneath Yahoo! Maps
and Mapquest. The local maps produced by
this service are more helpful than those
produced by competitive sites. (Click on the
image to see more detail.) [ Image: Google ]

I noticed that Google announced a new component of its Google Local service called Google Maps.

I did a couple of quick tests to produce maps of my local surroundings. Google's single point maps such as this one of downtown Hightstown, New Jersey seemed more useful, with more local landmarks than Mapquest. Yahoo! Maps had similar landmark detail, but the Google Maps user interface seemed fresher.

I also plugged in a 75-mile trip from East Windsor to Vineland, NJ that I make when I officiate ice hockey. I liked the Google Maps presentation of the route better than the Yahoo! Maps presentation, primarily because Google made the map the focus to a greater extent than Yahoo.

I feel similar about Mapquest's presentation. Their directions include graphical road signs that I don't find necessary. The "Distance" column on Mapquest has always confused me. Every time I look at it, I have to think about what that distance means, then I realize that I am supposed to stay on the road for whatever the specified distance is. I didn't describe it well, but that's because it's hard to describe.

Google is early in the process of connecting Google Maps to its other services. They also haven't included any Google AdWords areas on the map pages yet. I assume that we'll see that incorporated sometime soon.

I liked my first experience with Google Maps, and I'll be using it regularly when I need driving directions for the next few weeks. If I see anything unique, I'll post it here on Operation Gadget.