Google Maps 5 for Android is here, and it stands out as one of those rare but awesome “sci-fi meets real life” sort of experiences (more so than first-use-of-an-iPad). 0:15-0:30 in the video is what matters; other features are nice but not “wow”-level.

What using the vectors+3D-buildings features in Maps 5 kind of reminds me of: Action movies where some guy is chasing the bad guy and headset calls Central (AKA an attractive woman in glasses, so you know she’s smart) and says “PULL UP THE GRID! I need the layout for the Hancock Tower NOW!” Then she uses some totally unrealistic tablet computer (hah! a thin tablet device under 2 pounds with fast internet and hours of battery life?) and zooms and tilts in on a 3D map of the city and nerds roll their eyes a little.

Only now after playing around with this on the Samsung Tab, it’s just one or two zoom levels short of exactly that.