This is very simply a bunch of minor stuff Googlites feel like they're above implementing. They would rather let you implement that and you both get a cut.
Not like Apple’s quality is any better nowadays but Google’s unwillingness to finish their design work and provide a functional product is one of the many reasons I avoid their products like the plague.
Allowing and encouraging API use makes it easy for big corporations to clone their services though, making compatible systems and I wouldn't be surprised if Apple was datamining Maps when they made their Maps.
