We now have the details on how to change a cookie setting to get the new Google Navigation Bar.
Maximilian Majewski posted the details on his Google Plus profile.
Here is it:
1. Go get this extension to change cookies. http://goo.gl/CeKtT
2. Load Google.com and right-click to edit the cookies.
3. Change “PREF” to this:
4. Don’t forget to save your changes at the bottom.
5. Reload and you have the new Google bar.
Google has confirmed that they are rolling out another visual update that would remove the top navigation bar from all their services.
Google services would now be accessible from the Google logo. Options would appear on mouse hover. We are not sure how this would work on Tablets though.
Google Plus related options and the settings dropdown would appear on the right side of the search box on different services. Google has ensured that the positioning would remain same throughout their network.
We are not yet seeing this updated interface at our end but it should start appearing on your accounts in the coming days.
I am not sure if this change is now but it struck me just now.
The Google navigation bar at the top in Gmail is no longer black in color. It shows a color based on the theme you have selected and the end result looks much better.
On most other Google services though, it continues to use the black color.
Google has been experimenting with some changes that might soon enable them to get rid of this navigation bar completely.
For now, you would have to live with it. At least it does not look that bad anymore in Gmail!