Hi Patrick and Jeff,
The World Map Kit Dataset is comprised of several different datasources in an effort to provide a ready to use map for use with the Map Suite API. The Data for the United States is based on the USGS TIGER dataset and is updated when the data is available from the USGS. The 'World' data is indeed older but can serve as a reference for coastlines and most country outlines.
The Geocoder uses the same TIGER dataset as a basis for its Geocoding Index and thus is updated on the same schedule as the World Map Kit USA data. Not to point fingers but the USGS is the collection authority for this data so unfortunately we cannot control the frequency on when certain areas may or may not be updated.
If you are looking for the ultimate in control over the update frequency you might consider using Open Street Map data for your background data. Open Street Map gives anyone the ability to update the data at openstreetmap.org.
The Map Suite API allows you to use the OSM data in two ways: the OpenStreetMapOverlay which polls the OSM server for data over the Internet, or you can download the OpenStreetMap data in shapefile format for use on your local Desktop application or for local storage on your Web Server by logging into the ThinkGeo Web site navigating to Products - Free Trial Downloads, scrolling down to Data Sets - OpenStreetMap Data and clicking the 'Download Now!' button.
I believe this data is updated weekly from Open Street Map. Thus if you submitted any changes you potentially could see those included in the data within a week!
I believe we will be moving the OpenStreetMap data as the main datasource for the World Map Kit in the future but I don't have a timeline on when this might be occurring.
Patrick,
The World Map Kit by default uses the Geodetic projection, the GoogleOverlay/Layer uses the Spherical Mercator projection. These two projections (Geodetic, Spherical Mercator) use different coordinate systems. Geodetic uses Decimal Degrees, and Spherical Mercator uses Meter. If you move to a Google Overlay/Layer be sure you change your MapUnit = GeographyUnit.Meter. If you need further assistance with this issue please create a new thread as this is unrelated to the original post.