The problem with the hidden menu in Android is that Google set a precedent of bad UX by hiding primary tasks in the menu. It's ok to put secondary tasks in a context menu, but primary tasks should be visible at the top level. Desktops have the same problem with putting too much functionality in the right click context menu.
It's like making a painting app where the only way to paint is to select the brush and colors from a context menu. Or making a web browsers where the only way to navigate back and forth or change the address is via a context menu. Or a tabbed text editor where the only way to switch files is via a context menu. You don't have to be an Apple fanboi to agree that that is just bad UX. People who disagree are probably developers and developers should not be designing UX. That's why open source programs have notoriously bad UX.
Fortunately, Google recognizes this problem and is fixing this I newer versions of their apps. For example, you can now finally locate yourself in the Map app without going to the menu.
It's like making a painting app where the only way to paint is to select the brush and colors from a context menu. Or making a web browsers where the only way to navigate back and forth or change the address is via a context menu. Or a tabbed text editor where the only way to switch files is via a context menu. You don't have to be an Apple fanboi to agree that that is just bad UX. People who disagree are probably developers and developers should not be designing UX. That's why open source programs have notoriously bad UX.
Fortunately, Google recognizes this problem and is fixing this I newer versions of their apps. For example, you can now finally locate yourself in the Map app without going to the menu.