The map window is really just a specialized Browser Window that allows EarthBrowser to communicate with the Google Maps service. Other online sources may be added in the future.
These mapping sites all have high resolution datasets. Due to the current financial limitations, EarthBrowser only includes a 15 meter per pixel base map of the earth, however by using these different mapping services it is easy to go virtual sightseeing or pinpoint a location for your placemarks exactly.