some nuisances? like having to load and use the google maps api.

I'm interested to know if this doesn't actually violate the google maps terms of service:

https://developers.google.com/maps/terms#10-license-restrict...

10.4(e): No use of Content with a non-Google map. You must not use the Content in a Maps API Implementation that contains a non-Google map.

That Terms contains some interesting junk.. for example is a webpage considered "software"?

10.5(f): No incorporating Google software into other software. You will not incorporate any software provided as part of the Service into other software.

Yeah, at that point I wouldn't be comfortable touching it.