I have noticed that yet. When you search for something by Google Maps (e. g. http://www.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&pwst=1&q=shopping&near=New+York,+NY&sa=X&oi=local&ct=image) you can hide the list and have shown only the map by click on the left border of map.

Not new, it's been there since November.
http://googlified.com/2006hide-your-google-maps-search-result/