I wouldn't call it a flip-flop but they have eased the requirements for compliance.
Regarding the new guidance, the key quote which the post touches on: "Implied consent is certainly a valid form of consent but those who seek to rely on it should not see it as an easy way out or use the term as a euphemism for “doing nothing" ... An example might be that the user is given a clear and unavoidable notice that cookies will be used and on that basis decides to click through and continue to use the site." [1]
In other words, you need more than privacy policies and browser opt-outs to rely on implied consent.
Regarding the new guidance, the key quote which the post touches on: "Implied consent is certainly a valid form of consent but those who seek to rely on it should not see it as an easy way out or use the term as a euphemism for “doing nothing" ... An example might be that the user is given a clear and unavoidable notice that cookies will be used and on that basis decides to click through and continue to use the site." [1]
In other words, you need more than privacy policies and browser opt-outs to rely on implied consent.
[1] http://www.ico.gov.uk/news/blog/2012/updated-ico-advice-guid...