QGIS Browser and Globe plugin
QGIS Browser is now not only available as a standalone application but also integrated into QGIS. Martin has added a dockable Browser panel showing a directory tree and registered WMS connections. Double-clicking on a layer in the Browser panel adds it to QGIS.
And Pirmin Calberer has managed to get his Globe plugin into the QGIS core. More information about the plugin can be found here.