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Re:Eric Schmidt: Google Hasn’t Submitted A Native Google Map... by chris_j on Tuesday September 25, 2012 @06:13AM (#4569563)
That doesn't address the central part of taligent's comment. Yes, Google is an advertising company but they fear a future where their products (and therefore their adverts) are frozen out of smartphones. If Android didn't exist and the iPhone was the only game in town then perhaps that is exactly what would have just happened to Google Maps.
Re:Eric Schmidt: Google Hasn’t Submitted A Native Google Map... by sabret00the on Tuesday September 25, 2012 @06:28AM (#4569594)
Frozen out by who? Being one of the most popular apps in the app store is far more valuable to Google than being preloaded on devices. Why? Because it enables word of mouth and discoverability.

If Android didn't exist, Google maps would be an external app on Blackberry as it is and other OSs.