I didn't visit the old USAToday.com, very much, but the new version allows people to "vote up" stories.
They can also comment directly on stories -- something globeandmail.com has been doing for a while. Here's the full highlight list taken from the editors' note:
• Scan other news sources directly on USATODAY.com;
• See how readers are reacting to stories;
• Recommend stories and comments to other readers;
• Comment directly on stories;
• Participate in discussion forums;
• Write reviews (of movies, music and more);
• Contribute photos;
• Better communicate with USA TODAY staff.
Most of this is not particularly paradigm-shifting. The nytimes.com has allowed people to write mini-movie reviews for a while (and to let others vote on them), photo contributions have been around for years, and the BBC has posted links to stories from other news organizations (although they aren't a commercial service).
What USAToday is doing with its redesign can best be described as the new normal.