Google Maps just served notice to every other location-based business app out there with the introduction of "Places." A tie-in with Google Maps, it makes it super easy to find any kind of, well, place. It's location-based, so it knows where you are, it's fast, and pretty soon it's going to know what you want before you do. Here's Places in Google's own words:
Search for several convenient types of places with the default categories or add your own for your most frequent searches. You can also use the search bar at the top to type or speak any query. I tend to use the “coffee” search a lot, but I’ve also looked for “gas stations” on the road, “ice cream shops” in my neighborhood, and even specific places like “Chelsea Market” on a recent trip to New York.
Also added are more details of the individual businesses, such as parking, prices and menu items. And it's only a matter of time before Google adds some sort of check-in service, right? [Google Mobile Blog]
