Answer: GPS

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is a navigation system that uses a network of satellites to determine the exact location of a device or object on Earth. GPS technology is commonly used in devices such as smartphones, car navigation systems, and handheld GPS devices to provide accurate positioning, directions, and tracking capabilities. In this context, "Letters that bookend the phrase 'Google Maps,' aptly," suggests that the acronym GPS starts and ends with the same letters as "Google Maps," making it a fitting description for the referenced phrase.

Note: The provided meaning of the answer is for the latest New York Times crossword puzzle clue: Navigation aid that works through satellites, in brief. Explanations are generated by AI and may be inaccurate.