IMHO, Pixel Launcher (and Lawnchair and Kvaesitso) handle this pretty well with the app drawer… Basically just please automatically display the keyboard with one pull… Having to do another tap feels so… Primitive.

My Pixel has a search bar at the bottom of my home screen that lets me search the web or for shit on my phone, so for me it’s just tap ‘n’ go

And it’s a widget that works on my 3rd party launcher!