Hey guys,
I'm jumping in kinda late, here; so forgive me if this has been previously addressed.
On my stock Inc. I was able to dial a desired contact's name by typing their name, using the on-screen keypad. I have CM7 RC1 now, and I have to use search button, then type the contact's name.
Anyway to simulate the stock experience?
I had the same Issue and was pointed to an amazing app called "google gestures"... literally draw the first letter of whatever your looking for and BOOM, its there. check it out and see...You can set the auto-brightness values yourself under the display tab in the CyanogenMod Settings if it is bugging you so much. I've never cared for auto-brightness much on any ROM I've tried, including stock, though. I just change my brightness via the notification bar power control widget.
IN THIS SHOT THE GESTURE APP IS LOCATED ON THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER

IN THIS SHOT IT IS THE ACTUAL APP. U JUST DRAW A LETTER AND WALLA
