Agreed. Well, a standalone map application could always display thumbnails or otherwise indicate photolocations as long as it has access to the photos and the ability to read the metadata (assuming the coordinates are stored in a universal manner, not only in the correct field but also in a universal format. Maybe that is an issue in itself). That is not bad start but for integration in the sense I am talking about, I suppose a photo browser either has to have map functionality built in or "awareness of" and "compatibility with" the map application in question, which, I suppose, is where it gets tricky. The details immensely exceed my knowledge, but I presume they involve some sort of API, preferrably standardized, for the map application. Vice versa if you would want to go from the maps application and bring up one of those overlayed images in a photobrowser. Is that where the crux of the matter lies, perhaps, a (standardized) photo-interface in between applications?

From a personal perspective I would however take integration of native applications over no integration at all. Maybe not in the long run, but surely in the short run.. Actually, with the integration pointed out by zerojay the part missing is for the maps application to be able to bring up thumbnails of images, and possibly ability to open up the photobrowser when one of those thumbnails were selected. Could we have that, please?