The near-future novel is currently called "Existence."
Like "Earth," it is a big-picture novel following several characters during momentous events.
It incorporates the novelette "Shoresteading" as one of the threads. This is available online, here:
http://baens-universe.com/
More than that, I won't say.
I'll be seeing Brin at the Maker Faire next weekend, and will poke him with a stick until he promises to finish the thing.