Why Google is the powerhouse it is

Web-based maps have been around for a long time (in Internet terms, anyway). There's been plenty of time for innovation, but aside from minor advances such as MapBlast's LineDrive, the state of online maps has languished. It took Google getting into the game to do something revolutionary-overylaying maps on imagery. It seems so simple, but it's never been implemented on this scale. Google Maps has been public for less than 5 months. Just imagine what it will be in a year.