My favorite wireless app

While the Motorola Q phone got delayed in its release, I went out and got the new Cingular Blackberry 8700c a few months ago.  Since then, my hands down favorite application has been Google Maps for my device.  Call me cheap, but I have always hated using 411 service and getting charged exorbitant rates for getting a phone number.  That is also why services like Free411 (one of Josh’s investments) have taken off so rapidly.  As a stopgap measure, I used Google’s SMS service through my phone where I could easily send a SMS to 46645 and type in a zip code and directory query.  The results came back quite quickly.  I still use it for a quick stock quote or movie listing but lately I have migrated to Google Maps. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it is a great example of new phone applications that do not need carrier approval for distribution.  To download it, all you need to do is go here with a javascript-enabled phone.  The app itself if pretty small and easy to use-you type in a zipcode and query and you are quickly delivered an answer in either map or satellite view.  You can zoom in, scroll around, get directions, and even initiate a phone call through the application. It also saves all of your previous queries.  I can only imagine what this app will be like when you combine it with GPS and voice navigation.  Sure, you can buy that through Verizon Wireless and Sprint but this is free!  I am beginning to see more and more wireless plays that are trying to work around the walled gardens of the wireless carrier and this is one of the best I have seen thus far.