Not sure if that are big changes or not, good changes or not, time will only show what it is.
The Google search results now are location oriented and include Google Local Places results as well. Here is a couple of major changes:
I. Google map and location are visible on the search results page.
II. The SERP (Search Engine Results Page) is different and includes the local results. If your website has been well organically SEO’ed then you should not worry about it. Your site be as high as before these changes. Otherwise you need to think of improving you organic SEO score.
III. Business reviews now visible on the organic search results pages and obviously will be taken for consideration by the visitors.