[AJRF]

I think what Google is doing makes sense given smartphone adoption and the fact the maps are use for fundamentally different functions now.

You don't need a hulking great map with loads of detail at a high level to get from point A to point B, you now just use your smartphone for that.

I assume Google spotted a trend of people searching place names as opposed to picking points between two separate locations.

So how does that change the function of the map?

Well, we no longer need to have the zoomed out overload of detail, if we need more information about a place we are visiting, we type in the city name, or address, then zoom in close to see the detail we need.

The article kind of skimps over the point that we can interact with those maps now.

[Tempest1981]

Why can't the map serve multiple functions? I guess I wasn't overloaded by the detail.

[AJRF]

I would guess that placing labels on a map has some cost. Not doing this(especially over 3G, 4G, EDGE) might have some gain in loading time.

If you need that fine-grain detail zoom in?

Not saying I advocate this approach, but thought I would try give you an answer :)