The interface design changes that go along with Google’s new ‘Universal Search Model’ – maybe it means Google wants to make more of the decisions for the user, maybe they feel the blended search result types makes specific search types less important – which it probably does.

Google’s New Navigational Links: An Illustrated Guide
… Those vertical search links have been directly above the Google search box for years. Over the coming days, they will now jump to the top left-hand side of the page.
In addition to linking to Web, Images, Video, News and Maps search, there’s also a new Gmail link.

Some interesting reads on the ‘new’ Google :

• Why Google Search will NOT rule the Universe!
• Google moves to ‘universal’ search
• Google launching ‘Universal Search’

Wonder what they’re changing around the ranking algorithms – blended search results could have some interesting implications for Search Engine optimization.