Google Quietly Tests New Navigation Bar, Ditches Black Bar

For all of you Googlers who love the black navigation bar, you might have to kiss it goodbye. Google is testing a new navigation bar that omits the black bar, lists Google services in a drop-down menu, and features notifications and the sharing options next to the search box [ h/t GuAo.hk ].
In August at UX Week 2011, Google Lead Designer for Search Jon Wiley showed screenshots of the new unified interface, and noted that Google is in the midst of its largest redesign ever.
LAUNCH has contacted Google and will update this story if we receive a response.
In June, Google introduced the black search bar at the top of all Google pages. In this current test, the black bar is now a pull-down feature that is accessible by clicking the down arrow next to the Google logo.
"Some of what you'll see has been launched," Jon said at UX Week 2011. "Some of it hasn't launched...and some of it will never launch."
LAUNCH editors want to know what our readers think of the new navigation bar. Will you miss the black bar? Discuss below in the comments.
SCREEN SHOTS
The current test of the navigation bar features the new share and notifications icons, as seen from Jon's presentation in August.
Instead of the horizontal black bar that features Google services, there is now a drop-down menu.
Search page mock-up from Jon's presentation.
UX Week 2011 | Jon Wiley | Whoa, Google Has Designers! from Adaptive Path on Vimeo.
CONTACTS & LINKS
Jon Wiley, Lead Designer for Google Search
Google+: https://plus.google.com/111902435909328987615/posts
Twitter: @jonwiley
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jonwiley
Website: http://www.jonwiley.com/index.html