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JGWeissman comments on The Great Brain is Located Externally - Less Wrong
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Unlike Janet D. Stemwedel (author of the blog you cite), I find that using Google Maps increases my knowledge of local geography. When I map directions, I tend to pay attention to the route as displayed on the map, make note of cross streets near where I am going to have to turn, and sometimes play with alternate routes.
Sure, it's almost a cliché: it's not the tools, it's how you use them. Unlike you, I mostly just copy down the directions by rote (which leaves me in a world of trouble when I miss a turn). I would guess that there's a similar effect of technology on public understanding of mathematics: calculators and computers open up whole new worlds to people who like math (algorithms!---the Mandelbrot set!---&c.), but just serve as a crutch to others.
I'm with you on this one. Before online mapping, I would have to have someone tell me repeatedly what to look for when navigating unfamiliar roads, and would get lost a lot. Now I can look at the map, come up with alternate routes. With StreetView I can even see landmarks.