After much time of slight UI changes which pleased many but bothered many as well, Google seems to be investing heavily in functionality for their latest Maps updates. The cycling mode was a welcome addition, though it works in limited places, and this now seems a logic extension for the extensive dataset Google has on everywhere and everyone.

Google Maps challenges Foursquare with new Explore feature on Android and iOS

http://thenextweb.com/apps/2014/07/24/google-maps-challenges-foursquare-new-explore-feature-android-ios/