Map hacking/creation has become a very easy task that anyone with a little bit of JavaScript and HTML knowledge can do. If you’re looking for a good place to start XML.com has a great introductory tutorial on Hacking Maps with the Google Maps API. Getting familiar with the Google maps API even if you don’t currently have an idea for an application that keeps you up at night is a good idea just because you never know when one will hit!
Think of it this way: as mobile devices become internet-enabled (we agree that that will happen more and more, don’t we?) it will be more important for people to find the location of what they are interested in relative to their own current position. It’s a completely different user mindset than if we are sitting at home tethered to a desktop computer. At any rate I suppose I’ve made enough of a sales pitch for the Google maps API: go take a look at this article to get started.
