Mac Quicksilver and even the Mac spotlight search works like this. It's well cool to not have to move your hands over to the mouse, and navigating menus is v e r y slow in comparison.

Yes, browseable menu options are important when familiarity is not there. Have they been removed? Aren't they still there?

This is an enhancment for experts. Some users can't even touch type but why should my interface be built just for them?