Loss of search button

**curiousgeorge** · 12-23-2011, 12:03 AM

Is anyone else annoyed at the decision to remove the dedicated search button and replace it with an always on search box at the top of every home screen? Big step backwards if you ask me. Not only do I have to reach waaaaay up to the top of the screen to activate search but it is wasting precious and beautiful pixels all of the time.

ICS annoying feature #1.

**DroidXcon** · 12-23-2011, 12:05 AM

Doesn't bother me one bit. If I want it I'll just put the shortcut on my screen somewhere

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**Channan** · 12-23-2011, 12:08 AM

The only thing I miss about it is super quick access to Voice Actions and 3rd party apps like Speaktoit. Don't really mind reaching at the top of the screen to search.

**XzombieX66** · 12-23-2011, 12:10 AM

I miss having it in email so i can Search the email for certain things.

**curiousgeorge** · 12-23-2011, 12:17 AM

Aside from the move just being a brain dead decision in my opinion, I am finding the Nexus to be so large that the reach to the top of the screen when attempting one-handed operation is just too much. And I have big hands.

I am assuming normal mortals just can't use this thing one-handed. Anyway, good phone UI design would have put more controls where the thumb can reach (ie: the bottom of the screen!). Google is no master at UI design. Kick Microsoft if you want but they beat the pants of Google in areas like this.

**DroidXcon** · 12-23-2011, 12:18 AM

. Just move it
Problem solved
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**curiousgeorge** · 12-23-2011, 12:29 AM

Doh! Riddle me an ***** batman, but how did you do that? If I long press the search bar it does nothing. Are you using the stock ICS launcher?

**DroidXcon** · 12-23-2011, 12:33 AM

No I'm using adw launcher. Any other launcher should allow you the ability of moving it. I'm not a fan of the stock launcher this is what is wonderful about the nexus its a blank slate. Eventually someone will alter the stock launcher with the search bar removed. To use if you like that sort of thing.

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**curiousgeorge** · 12-23-2011, 12:39 AM

Ah, so there you go. My original complaint stands. Google decided search is soooo important that it must be prominent and unchangeable. Bad move. One of those straws that may drive me to another launcher here soon.

**yosteve** · 12-23-2011, 01:18 AM

i just think it's odd you cant actually type in the 4x1 rectangle, it should just be a resizable button.

**curiousgeorge** · 12-23-2011, 01:21 AM

Not sure what you mean? If you click the search bar you can type into it. Though I agree it could be a simple 1x1 button that when you click expanded to 4x1 for search.

But really, I like how it worked in Android 2.x. Search button brings up search wherever you are. Simple clean, obvious to any and all.

**dude9000** · 12-23-2011, 01:36 AM

I hated the search at the top at first, but it is starting to grow on me. I use it all the time for voice commands. Especially for sending quick text messages without having to type. You can get the search button back at the bottom with some ROMs that are currently out if you are into that sort of thing, look through the screen shot thread. The beauty of software buttons. I'm sure launchers will bring this option without root over time.

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**trigun123478** · 12-23-2011, 05:06 AM

I miss the search button, because when you go to apps to clear a cache or force stop it or whatever you could press the search button and type it in. Now you have to scroll for it like in froyo. I have a feeling they will add a search button back I mean they could add anything really because it's digital buttons.

**jafels** · 12-23-2011, 06:20 AM

Im with those who miss the search button. I got rid of the search widget on my old phones because it was not needed witht he search button.... and using voice actions was much quicker and easier with the button. Its not something I cant get used to....I would just prefer the permanent onscreen search be removable and the button have the ability to be added.

**Dirty-Bird** · 12-23-2011, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by dude9000

I hated the search at the top at first, but it is starting to grow on me. I use it all the time for voice commands. Especially for sending quick text messages without having to type. You can get the search button back at the bottom with some ROMs that are currently out if you are into that sort of thing, look through the screen shot thread. The beauty of software buttons. I'm sure launchers will bring this option without root over time.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

I thought you could only use the search bar on top to search. How do you do other commands?

**moosc** · 12-23-2011, 11:02 AM

I like my search button have no issues

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**rlb81** · 12-23-2011, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by moosc

I like my search button have no issues

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Can you tell us how you did this? I tried it and had to restore, it fubared all of my software buttons. Thought it was only available for GSM phones at the moment.

**mclarryjr** · 12-23-2011, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by rlb81

Can you tell us how you did this? I tried it and had to restore, it fubared all of my software buttons. Thought it was only available for GSM phones at the moment.

If your rooted there are mods for the different rom out. Here is a link to a thread http://forums.androidcentral.com/ver...ot3-1-7-a.html for a very good rom with mods to add the search button.
If your not rooted try Nova Launcher where you will be able to remove the search bar on top but won't let you add the soft key.

**rlb81** · 12-23-2011, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by mclarryjr

If your rooted there are mods for the different rom out. Here is a link to a thread http://forums.androidcentral.com/ver...ot3-1-7-a.html for a very good rom with mods to add the search button.
If your not rooted try Nova Launcher where you will be able to remove the search bar on top but won't let you add the soft key.

I am rooted, not sure I want to jump into a ROM yet. I should clarify that I tried of getting the search/menu buttons without any luck.

**EggoEspada** · 12-23-2011, 05:43 PM

I'm personally glad they got rid of the search button and now have the search bar on the top. It's easier for the average person to understand. Also, the less buttons, the better. It does suck when you want to search in certain apps, but at this point, that's up to the developers to fix. Google has given them the tools, they just need to use them.

**dude9000** · 12-23-2011, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by Dirty-Bird

I thought you could only use the search bar on top to search. How do you do other commands?

If you press the mic on the far right it brings up voice command for texting, email, search, GPS and whatever other voice commands that are included in ICS

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**qnet** · 12-23-2011, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by Dirty-Bird

I thought you could only use the search bar on top to search. How do you do other commands?

I'd like to know this as well.

Originally Posted by dude9000

If you press the mic on the far right it brings up voice command for texting, email, search, GPS and whatever other voice commands that are included in ICS

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

I think I'll have to search for some kind of tutorial on how to do that because I have no clue how. Whenever I use the voice command to search something it just goes straight to the web. I figured out texting but I find it just as easy to just open the messaging app.

I've never been as dependent on the old search function I guess.

**dude9000** · 12-23-2011, 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by qnet

I'd like to know this as well.

I think I'll have to search for some kind of tutorial on how to do that because I have no clue how. Whenever I use the voice command to search something it just goes straight to the web. I figured out texting but I find it just as easy to just open the messaging app.

I've never been as dependent on the old search function I guess.

When you pull the voice command up there is a help option with a tutorial. I got the link for you

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**dude9000** · 12-23-2011, 11:07 PM

Not sure if that worked
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**pabloheitmeyer** · 12-23-2011, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by yosteve

i just think it's odd you cant actually type in the 4x1 rectangle, it should just be a resizable button.

my thoughts exactly - as soon as you click it, it takes you to another screen - what's the point of the huge 4x1. i loaded nova launcher and it rocks. best rooted.