The MapsGL mode of Google Maps is continuing to improve and offer some great features, and the newest is the shaded 3D buildings that we’ve seen in standard maps for a while now. The new buildings certainly add a lot to the look of the maps, as you can see in some of these before/after shots:

Could the next step be textured buildings?  It seems unlikely at this point, but with the rate they’re adding features to MapsGL, anything is possible.

(via Google Lat Long Blog)