Google Maps on iOS 5 has been refresh with new routes selection interface. Before Apple release iOS 5, I have difficulty finding the correct and best routes to the location I want to go. I will just place a pin on the route and set it as start direction.

As traffic information is not available in my area, finding different routes can be very useful to avoid congestion and heavy traffic during the peak time.

Google Maps on iOS 5 has been a handy tool to me since it is free to use. The new update comes with multiple routes suggestions. Simply choose the routes and tap on it to select the route you want to follow. Once you are confirm the route, tap start button and you are ready to go.

One of the disadvantage of using offline GPS maps is that you will get road not found or location not found error. You also need to search the exact location name. Unlike Google Maps which you can type the popular shopping mall or hot area easily because the maps are updated frequently and you don’t need to download on every update.

What Google Maps feature still lack on iOS 5 is the voice direction helper which could become very useful for people like me. At least you don’t need to look at the device for which direction to go.

Apple App Store on iPhone is not displaying all the apps while most of the time it will just display the most popular and latest apps in the market. You could have miss out some good apps which very difficult to find in the app store. Most of the developers will promote their apps across the web to get their app listed on top downloaded faster. Many good apps still hidden and is not easily found by users. You can search by categories, top picks and search keywords.

While OpenAppMkt is similar to AppStore and it is not associated with Apple but it display all Web Apps only. Mean all the apps listing is basically a website or web page which are optimize for iPhone device like Google Map, YouTube and web games. No download is necessary. What you need do is just click the add button and add the web app into your home screen.

The next time you want to open the web app, just touch the app icon on home screen where you have added. OpenAppMkt user interface screen is exactly the same as Apple AppStore such as those back buttons, download button, and screen shots of the app. iPhone users will find it easy to use. Not all the web apps are free though. Some web apps will charge user $1 or more. Some web apps also required user to register and log-in before they can download the app even it is free.

I have added Google Map Web version. It is a bit different than the iPhone built-in version. Web version can share map location easily to others via GMail, YouTube and Buzz. Google Map Web version seems to be a bit slow and lag when viewing the route map area. Unlike the iPhone version which is more stable, accurate and allow to drop pins to change direction.

OpenAppMkt is an alternative web app store for iPhone users. OpenAppMkt is aim to help developer who has been rejected to publish their app on Apple AppStore. If you like web apps, you can consider OpenAppMkt. Currently, it has not much web apps available but the listing will be updated when they have manual picked new apps. Download and try it at openappmkt.com

Google has team up with Hasbro monopoly game company to build an online version of monopoly built on Google Maps API. This is going to be a very addictive online game which allows user to compete like a real monopoly game. You You start with 3 million Monopoly dollars, and can build not only hotels and houses but also football stadiums, castles and skyscrapers such as Downing Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. The buildings will be design in 3D. What’s cool is you will be playing on a real street.

On the 9th SEPTEMBER, a world of property empire building on an unimaginable scale will be launched! A live worldwide game of MONOPOLY using Google Maps as the game board. The goal is simple. Play to beat your friends and the world to become the richest property magnate in existence.

Own any street in the world. Build humble houses, crazy castles and stupendous skyscrapers to collect rent. Use MONOPOLY Chance Cards to sabotage your mates by building Hazards on their streets.

You will apparently be able to buy incredible amount of amazing new buildings and building types in the world. Release date will be on Wednesday, 9 September 2009. Check it out Monopoly City Streets