I'd like to add and expand on my post above. What I am getting at, I think google has plans to make the URL a BIGGER ranking factor than before. Domains that 'span the dot' WILL have and advantage. They trying to hide this assumed change, while they DEVELOP and RANK their own new sites, built on nTLD.
While the new ranking might not be in full-effect yet, hiding the URL is preparation for that. A few years from now, once people are 'eased into' encountering the newTLD, and familiar with them, only then they will show the URL again.
The reason I said 'bodes well for .com' is because under the assumed new ranking factors, nTLD would absolute DESTROY .com sites in a hurry...too much, too fast. The way they are doing is going to be like boiling the frogs.
Again, while the URL is hidden, the words within the domains will again be a more powerful ranking factor. Hiding the URL will disguise that fact on the surface.