maps on the iPad

I've been trying to figure out why the experience of browsing a map is SO much better on the iPad than on any other computer I've ever used.  I have a 23" screen on my iMac, how can the 10" screen be so much better?

And the answer is it's not the screen, it's the touch interface.  Now instead of a few fingers (on the iPhone) you can use your whole hand, even both hands.  You can simultaneously zoom in and out and move the map.  SO superior to using a mouse to move a zoom wheel or direction pointer.

The reason that I believe the iPad is a fundamental change in computing is this very touch interface - it redefines how we interact with the computer.  We had a hint of this on the smaller iPhone / iTouch screen - but having the larger screen changes everything.  I've seen glimmers of this on some of the new apps but I believe we are just at the very beginning.  And I find that very exciting.