Is this a new Google screen layout

As I sit here writing a few blogs I have just seen the following layout on my Google homepage.

Notice how the Google+ details are now “detached” from the top toolbar – before they would be part of the black toolbar at the top right of the page. I quite like this “look” – is everyone else seeing this (or has everyone seen this for months and I am only just getting around to notice it!!!).

Also it allows me to add anything to my Google+ status updates from the Google homepage – again I don’t recall seeing this (even when it appeared in the toolbar at the top) – I am sure it only allows me to click on my name and choose from a drop down menu of options.

Let me know if you think it is new (or old!).