Earlier this month (5/14/08 @ 05:40 PST) Google announced the Google Maps API for Flash. One of the changes that you notice right off is the difference and smoothness in animation. Its great to finally have the ability to integrate this mapping application into a flash experience and have access to the geo API natively.

Resources
Announcement
http://googlemapsapi.blogspot.com/2008/05/introducing-google-maps-api-for-flash.html

Documentation & examples
http://code.google.com/apis/maps/documentation/flash/

Note
Google Maps API for Flash is not the only kid on the block with a Flash based mapping solution: Universal ActionScript 3.0 Mapping API