Change in behavior for Google as home page

[js1954]

Recently, perhaps at the same time as the last Firefox update, the behavior of my home page changed when I start Firefox.   Used to be when I started Firefox, it would go to Google home page with the cursor positioned in the Google search prompt.   Now the cursor is positioned in the address bar with url highlighted.  If I click on the Home icon, then the Google page reloads and behaves as before.  

[js1954]

And FYI I tried setting browser.newtabpage.activity-stream.improvesearch.handoffToAwesomebar to false and it made no difference.  

[js1954]

What happens in more detail:

1. Start Firefox
2. Blank window appears with a tab labelled "New Tab"
3. Address bar says: search with google or enter address
4. Label "New Tab" changes to "Google"
5. Address bar changes to: https://www.google.com/ and is highlighted and the cursor is positioned in the address bar.  (until a few days ago, the cursor would be positioned in the Google search prompt.)

[js1954 · Accepted solution]

Well today the issue has disappeared.   I also see that a Firefox update occurred today.   Coincidence?   I would guess not.