They are vector based maps. Confirmed on their blog post about the SDK release alongside the app. http://googlegeodevelopers.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-new-way-to-a

They are vector based maps. Confirmed on their blog post about the SDK release alongside the app. http://googlegeodevelopers.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-new-way-to-add-google-maps-to-your.html http://googlegeodevelopers.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-new-way-to... also if you watch the loading closely you can tell.