Understanding Google Maps & Local Search...The latest Google Maps feature is geared toward helping voters get set for the upcoming election. In addition to offering links to info about registration and various candidates, the apps point users in the direction of their nearest polling place.

"Being able to generate a driving map for each potential voter to every polling place offers incredible benefit to every 'get out the vote' organization, particularly smaller ones that might not have the resources to gather this information," says Mike Blumenthal.

He also notes that the apps are indicative of the greater impact that local information is having on the search (and Web) experience as a whole. "It points to a time when having in-depth local data will fundamentally change the way that the web is used," Blumenthal says. - Read the whole story...