Google (and others) probably have enough patents to give Apple some real headaches here, but I sincerely hope their response is to innovate quicker in order to stay ahead instead.<p>That being said, it's going to take time as well as money for Apple to even marginally close the gap. Google has a tremendous lead when it comes to data. e.g. Just having a place on your map arguably isn't enough when Google probably has a dozen user reviews just for your local neighborhood dry-cleaner! No doubt that's why Apple initially tried to ram their maps down all iOS users' throats.