Maps need to be deeply integrated with other services, as in Google Now. This deep integration goes well beyond what map providers do. And this is where you'll

Maps need to be deeply integrated with other services, as in Google Now. This deep integration goes well beyond what map providers do. And this is where you'll see an increasing gap. I'm in Tokyo right now, and I use my Google maps constantly, but I can imagine how much easier they could make it. I can already read Japanese web pages via Google translate, soon I'm sure the integration will be even better so I dont need to copy and paste addresses between. And Google Now would integrate all that with my calendar and contacts in my address book. If you've ever tried to read Japanese or interpret Tokyo addresses before Google's products, you'd understand the breakthrough here. The needs are way beyond a map dataset. And we'll see how easy it is for Apple to just go out and license a few of those existing datasets you mention to get a product a deep as Google's. EDIT: Integration is what -I'M- talking about because that will make the long term difference in a successful mobile product. Which is the real underlying question. And I dont see how Yelp's data can help me navigate Shibuya station (missing from Apple maps, very detailed on Google maps. Good thing as I got lost within the station a few days ago).