Lots of people minded. There was a huge shitstorm when Google introduced it on the search front page, there was one when Firefox enabled it in the search box and there was one when Chrome was released without a separation between the location and search box.
At least the search suggestions are genuinely useful, in stark contrast to the Amazon ads.
Google Chrome has always had this feature, yet it didn't stop it from gaining 20% market share. Neither does it stop the "why don't Firefox merge the search and location bar?" comment seen in almost every comment thread whenever Firefox's UI is discussed. I don't think that anyone is under the illusion that the average user care about this behavior in any way.
Sure. But whether or not the average user cares isn't relevant to the question if a vocal minority does. I think the amount of resistance the Ubuntu change gets is broadly comparable to the changes I mention. It's probably roughly the same people complaining.
At least the search suggestions are genuinely useful, in stark contrast to the Amazon ads.