Behaviour of swipe to search gesture changed after google app update!

After the google app got updated the behaviour of the swipe-to-search gesture apparently changed. Before the update you just swiped up from the homebutton on the homescreen and the cursor was placed in the google search bar. The keyboard appeared and you were immediately able to start typing.
Now after the update a new blank windows is opening when you swipe up that looks a little like google now. It showes the google search bar in the middle of the screen and you have to click it to place the cursor in the search bar that moves up to the screen after you clicked it. And then you're finally able to type.
Does anyone know a way to change that behaviour back to how it once was and is there a way to let the google developers know, that it sucks the way it is?
And is anybody sharing my anger about that stupid change of a perfectly working app?

Media Volume on Bluetooth connection. The behavior changed from 5.1 to 6.0

I was quite happy with the way Lollipop used to handle the volume. When the phone connected to my car, the volume was set automatically to 100%, and on disconnection, it returned to whatever the value was. This is no longer the case on Lollipop. The media volume remains the same on Bluetooth connection, which means I have to manually turn it up.

Is anyone experiencing the same? Is this something that you can change in the settings? I have looked into the volume, bluetooth, and apps settings to no avail.