Google is going from mistakes to mistakes ... now they managed to break maps and replace them with "places". Just do a google search and see that the map is link is no longer available at the top and left side. Millions of dollars being lost. LOL

Place is much more relevant for me.

Ah really, Maps link is really gone and localised Googles have this change as well.

It's only been replaced in the sidebar. Google Places is a new name for Google Local, the local search engine that merged with Google Maps back in 2006. I think Places will become a more powerful brand than Maps because it's more about finding locations, writing reviews, sharing them with your friends. Maps will continue to be associated with driving directions, navigation, Street View, but it will no longer be the best destination for local search.

Yes, no changes to http://www.google.fi/ etc.