Some recent Google newness...
They have added the ability to do group chat to GTalk via a new online chat client gadget which also supports tabs as well as video and photo preview. They have also revamped Google Docs with more features and a new home page look and feel. On the maps side you can now manually re-route driving directions by dragging the route around visually.
One question; What's up with Google and Flash these days? The new GTalk gadget is flash based. And also the new Google Maps street view. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it's just curious considering that Google practically invented Web 2.0 / Ajax.
I have no inside scoop on why Flash, but given how wide spread it is (is there any consumer machine out there without it?), I imagine that it is easier to develop for Flash than do all the Javascript hackery required to support every browser.
Finally! I have been wanting a way to customize my route on the mapping sites forever!
It worked great for changing my route to work from going down across the Tacoma narrows to using the ferry instead. I could even put in my local short cuts that I use.
I had some problems in Bellevue though when I tried to get it to use the offramp I usually use (from the carpool lane on 405.)
What a great addition. Not sure if they are the first, but they are definitely the first I've heard of.