The search tab icon is on the complete opposite end of the screen from the search text entry field. Engaging with search requires tapping the bottom most area, then the top most area, then back to the bottom keyboard area. It’s slow and clumsy.

Tapping the search tab icon once already brings the user to the search interface. Tapping the tab icon a second time while already on the tab should bring the search text entry field into focus so the user can start typing. See IMDb app for a live demo.