This is actually the perfect analogy, you just didn't realize it. The iPod came in to a world where there were already mp3 players, but they were all pretty lousy from a design/user standpoint. Apple won the mp3 player market because they built a better looking and easier to use version. Google search and maps won significant market share because they were technologically superior to the competition.
One isn't "better" than the other, but they are clearly successful for different reasons.
Actually, I'm guessing that Google's clean homepage and search results were a huge reason a lot of people switched over to it. It certainly had a lot to do with my choice.
Google Maps was also significantly better looking and easier to use than its competitors at the time (MapQuest with its clumsy non-moveable image tiles and interface).
One isn't "better" than the other, but they are clearly successful for different reasons.