Imagine the Search Entry is gone.

When Rhythmbox is started the status bar reads:
1000 songs, 500 minuts, 4000MB.

When typing something the statusbar updates on the fly to e.g.
5 songs, 15 minuts, 30MB matching metallica.

Advantages:
* No Search Entry is required.
* The Stausbar shows the real current status.
* Useful when CD burning is implanted.
* Displays what Rhythmbox is actually searching for rather
  than what is entered in the search box, which can be subtly different.

The above described is the "filtering", that the search entry does.

Rhythmbox features type ahead search, which is different from the filter. So
filtering could be the primary and search is the secondary and a syntax is like so:
michael jackson + bad

where + indicates that the following is a search.

Disadvanges:
* Can't use left/right arrows if a typo is made.

The disadvantage is rather small would I say, as the user looks at the results
when typing, so if the results jumps from many hits to none, a typo have been
made. So if a typo is made, it won't be in the start of the line, but very close
to the current typed letter.

This suggestion solves the problem of the search enrety and hide browser, if a
toolbar for buttons is introduced. See bug #316238