Google's MAPS must be one of the most influencial programs ever released - millions are using it and several big companies tried to copy it in order to profit from it's success. Another cool feature is the open api, resulting in thousands of people developing apps that make use of Google Maps. And google makes it even better with the release of maplets, widgets for Google Maps, if I may say so.

some are created by Google but there is also an API for third parties to produce their own. See Brady Forest's post from May when Google first launched a preview of the service.()

This is an important development that will allow many more to create applications on top of Google Maps.
I can't help but think about advertisement for local businesses, but I am probably not the first one....

Bigmouthmedia has a good article on Google Mapplets.

Google Mapplets Documentation