Inrix Traffic puts the power of real time incidents, traffic forecasting and comparisons in the palm of your hand. We just completed a redesign of their free app for iPhone/Android (winner of MacWorld's 2010 Best In Show). The update continues through the seven circles of development, but has been greenlighted, so to speak. The project managers at Inrix, based in the Pacific Northwest, knew just what they wanted, and were extremely efficient. 

So it came as no surprise to hear, just yesterday, that Google had partnered with Inrix to provide the majority of traffic data for Google Maps < the best, trudat double true. The real shame here is that it's a contractual agreement, and not a merger. Those headlines would just write themselves. Who's up for an on-ramp metaphor? For more information on what's next for Inrix, read the article at TechCrunch.