Just for Show Off i think. Google Icon has better look now. But It may be their trick to dump any of their competitors' innovations on this month start.
It's simple & clean, maybe a little too safe, but too drastic a change could have impacted the priceless brand awareness they've built.
All eventually becomes obsolete and logos must be periodically updated, otherwise it can become something of the past. Google has repeatedly changed its logo, but it always keeps in step with the times.
Well, honestly there are a lot of changes that Google did after he launch the android software on the smartphones. I really don't like the way that google makes you to create account so you can use the playstore applications. In the same time he tracking you every search that you hit and also knows where are you by using your GPS option on your cell. Now about your topic... I don't like the new logo, because it's makes fell like I am in the kindergarten. I mean, I know that Google is the best option for most of the users, but you don't have privacy after you login with your email/acc.
The mandatory account part is similar to BlackBerry and Apple App Store. It is needed in case you wish to pay for an app. As for the logo, I agree, it is a bit childish, but if you take a deeper look at it, Microsoft, Apple, Google, all did the same. Not just with logos, with the interface as well. iOS 7 and Android 5, along with Windows 8 look like a Child's app in front of their predecessors.
Yeah I have seen that, and honestly speaking I don't find it that attractive! And I don't find any significant difference between the older and the newer.
Trends change, they change in art, architecture, fashion and also web design. The trend now in the world is a minimalist approach and Google is following this trend. I also suggest to my affiliates to use a "less is more" approach.