It didn’t just not appeal to some audiences. It actively alienated one of the primary audiences of their product. Of course that requires a response.
It's not just general sensibilities, it's comically topical.
Apple is essentially saying 'Don't worry about learning to play an instrument, use an iPad instead!' which is just disgusting. The modern world has lost too much dicipline and creativity already. It doesnt need more people being encouraged to take the lazy option.