New layer for mobile GoogleEarth

With the marriage of geospatial mapping + mobile Internet devices + GPS, users on-the-go can finally get answers to these questions: 

1. Where am I now?

2. What's near me?

Google's has made the answer to #2 even more robust by adding another layer to its iPhone app.  Google's blog about it:Google LatLong: Businesses layer for Google Earth on your iPhone

"You'll find businesses like restaurants, bars, banks, gas stations, and grocery stores all just a touch away."

Of course it offers address and telephone information, too. 

Adding this feature to GoogleEarth original "spin the globe" functionality, the mobile app becomes a LOT more practical than it was before.  I'll use it more in the real world than I did. (All this information is available for desktop GoogleEarth, too.)

Now, as any good journalist does, I want to ask the next question:

3. WHY does my world look like this?

That's a different layer for a different time.

The right direction: Mscape

I'm exploring the Mediascapes software and I'm impressed by it's robust connection to place.  Users can create tours, stories, even games based on a particular place in the world.  For example, there's a game that you can download and play only in the Tower of London.  What a great concept!

The content seems to be largely user-generated.  I can't tell that any media organizations have embraced this particular storytelling medium, though it seems very powerful.

The main limitation seems to be that Mscape is only available for WindowsMobile devices that have GPS capability.  Since the Web site seems to be a HP endeavour, it seems doubtful that Blackberry or iPhone versions are in the works.   I also wonder if the usability is limited by having so much content that can only be used/accessed at a specific location.  

I'd love to read comments from people who use Mscape.  There's seems to be a devoted community of users.