Newflash: Google is not an open source project that you can bitch about not including you in the loop on changes. I think the attempt by the author to paint Google engineers as aloof and out of touch was trite and intellectually lazy.

Google is a mature service now that many rely on and then as a result feel as though they should have a say in how it's changed (or not). Combine this with the fact that almost any extension of Google's service can encroach on established business models and you get a veritable sh*tstorm anytime Google rolls out anything new and different.

This search feature actually serves Google's core purpose well: To help people find what they want .. quickly. Google's mission is not to protect existing business models (Amazon) or boost web traffic to your site.