http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2009/10/evolving-look-of-google-maps.html

You can see the changes both in Map and Hybrid modes, says Google's blog entry linked earlier:

"Today the Google Maps team is rolling out a number of refinements to the look and feel of our maps, the biggest such changes since we first launched about 4.7 years ago. In that time we've been steadily adding details like walkways, address labels, bus stops, new country coverage, and improved satellite imagery, but the look of the map hasn't changed much.

Today's changes are intended to keep the same information-rich map while making it easier to pick out the information that is most useful.
...."

Before:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zJrVQFqitUA/SuHxIgADiTI/AAAAAAAAJGY
/QxL4Xlu6yKM/s400/versa7.png

And now:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_zJrVQFqitUA/SuHxIgADiTI/AAAAAAAAJGY/QxL4Xlu6yKM/s400/versa7.png

Ooops, there is extra space in the first URL

The first URL and text 'Before:' can be removed...