Google Maps changes the way it zooms

Google Maps received a set of shiny new features today -- available to both Google Maps and the API users.  Updates to the service include double-click to zoom, continuous zoom and some new tabs below the search box.
I'm not sure I like the changes to the zooming though -- on one of my computers, Firefox seems quite a bit less responsive.  In addition, the service feels more like Live Local with the continuous zooming.  I really didn't mind how it was in the first place.

Zooming now almost reminds me of that scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail where Lancelot is running towards the castle but doesn't seem to get closer -- mind you it's a lot worse on Live Local.

I do like the tabs though, they are clean and obvious.  The three tabs "Search the map", "Find businesses" and "Get directions" are in a new tab format as seen in the image below.