Long version:
I recently upgraded from a Nexus 5 to a Samsung Galaxy S6. One thing that bugged me from this change was the way the Google search widget behaved. The Nexus 5 would present content on the device as quick results as you type the search phrase. This is what I used to quickly find apps and open them. On the S6 it would search the web, music, contacts, books and apps.
Short version:
To configure the Google search gadget to present apps as quick results:
Open up the apps tray.
Open up the Google folder and/or find "Google Settings".
Open up "Search & Now".
Open up "Phone Search".
Now you can select what the Google gadget searches.
I've only got "Apps" and "Contacts" selected. But it's up to you how you use this widget
