YouCity hmmmmm

I have been looking at the new NYC youcity today.
It seems to be an attempt at bringing social networking under a new geographical hat. Fair enough, it is interesting to see someone take a(nother) new approach to social networking. It is nice to see that they have decided to base it on place.

I do have to question the point though. This brings social networking, live feeds of friends location and activities, directions, allow you to create your own maps, upload media, and review restaurants and the like. All of these things are increasingly more and more common. Considering the openness of the Google, Microsoft and OpenStreetMap APIs why are we in the need for a cartoon equivalent?

I cannot also help to ask how many man hours of development went into recreating a data set which we already have in map, topology, birds eye photo and aerial photo! If you make it look like a toy, at least make it look like a good toy!