Eric Schmidt stepping away from the Google CEO position - lots of hot air (see here) so one doesn't really want to add to it, so enough to say that:
1. Google's reputation has been taking a lot of incoming in the last 2 years, and it is coming under increasing scrutiny
2. Some of Mr Schmidt's recent utterings were not helping
3. Despite the denials from the fanbois, Google's core search is definitely not quite what it once was.
Why now? Good financial news, maybe trying to slip it in under the furore around Steve Jobs' stepping down. I believe its good news for Google as its a sign that they are starting to come to grips with the issues emerging.