UPDATE
It's official: The rumored changes to Google are indeed coming, as a post on Google's blog announced the end to the black toolbar. As Google describes it:
Instead of the horizontal black bar at the top of the page, you’ll now find links to your services in a new drop-down Google menu nested under the Google logo. We’ll show you a list of links and you can access additional services by hovering over the “More” link at the bottom of the list. Click on what you want, and you’re off.
No word yet on when the new Google bar will start appearing.
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PREVIOUSLY
After a tumultuous November that saw poor public receptions to Gmail and Google Reader redesigns, another huge change might be coming to every Google site out there.
Brace yourself: That black toolbar at the top of every Google site might be disappearing forever.
The Next Web discovered a video on YouTube that shows a whole new look and layout for the controls of Google websites, one that emphasizes sharing to Google Plus and larger buttons. According to the video, the new "Google Bar" will consist of the Google menu, the Search bar and a Google Plus widget.
The original video was quickly pulled, but someone grabbed a copy before it was taken down. Check out what just might be Google's new look (via The Next Web):
New Google Toolbar Demo from The Next Web on Vimeo.
Google has been changing up almost everything recently to better emphasize and integrate Google+, so why not do away with that small black bar in favor of a more visible sharing zone, too?
Google in October redesigned Google Reader to accomodate Google+, above the objections of the aesthetically-offended, as well as free speech advocates in Iran. It is not a stretch to think that Google will overhaul its toolbar to better highlight Google+ options, too.
Google has not responded to a request for comment.