In addition to the new sitemap offering, it appears that Google has updated its webmasters guidelines here:
http://www.google.com/webmasters/guidelines.html

I saved the old guidelines here for easy comparison:
http://goldgs.blogspot.com/

There seem to be many more specific items rather than the previous generalities discussed.

This is new:
"Submit your site to relevant directories such as the Open Directory Project and Yahoo!, as well as to other industry-specific expert sites."
Inclusion of industry specific expert sites. Also appears to focus on the value of relevant links.

Thoughts on the guidelines?

It would be nice if google put an "updated" date on those pages so we'd know if anythings changes since we last looked. Everything looks the same to me.

Seems like they are publicly stating that they prefer on-topic relevant links. Nothing new, but now there's less speculation.

I find the part they added about "other industry specific expert sites to be consistent with their past behavior of trying to give people warnings without actually getting into specifics.

There is a LOT in there if you read between the lines, that's a mouthful imho.

*Nothing new, but now there's less speculation.*

Actually it's one of the usual suspects asked to GG that he's never answered, so I'd tend to agree with Marcia on its significance.

Anyone remember LocalRank? ;-)