It seems that a recent post on the Official Google Webmaster Central Blog >> http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2009/08/help-test-some-next-generation.html
Has announced that Google have secretly been working on a new project; the next generation of Google Search.
By all accounts this is not a minor update, this is a major overhaul of the entire infrastructure and backbone on Google search. This takes them to the next level of search superiority and cements their spot as the number one search provider in the World.
While there are minimal changes to the current search results there are noticeable differences
1. Ajax delivered search results – this renders all 3rd party analytics software useless at recording Google traffic
2. SO FAST. The instant you click the “search” button the results are delivered back to you. It’s easily 2-3 times faster than the current incantation of Google, 5 times faster than Yahoo or MSN.

Why not try out the development platform for yourself? .. http://www2.sandbox.google.com