The other thing these low-bandwidth vector maps enables is offline caching of maps, specifically your most frequently visited locations, and entire trips that have been routed in Navigation, including potential reroutes.

ENGADGET: Google Maps 5.0 hits Android, includes new 3D map view and offline Navigation

We launched Maps initially with the first version of iOS. As time progressed, we wanted to provide our customers with even better Maps including features such as turn-by-turn directions, voice integration, Flyover and vector-based maps.

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For example, the vector-based maps load quickly and allow for smooth tilting and rotating of 2D and 3D views.

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Most importantly, Google is now using vector graphics for its maps, which are scalable and much lighter weight than the traditional stitched together images used in most Google Maps incarnations.

ENGADGET: Google Maps 5.0 hits Android, includes new 3D map view and offline Navigation

It loads much more quickly than the old iOS Google Maps app because it uses vector graphics instead of bitmap graphics, and it has turn-by-turn navigation which the old iOS Google Maps app did not have.

FORBES: Acknowledgement: Maps Wasn��t Apple��s Finest Hour.