It's only technically removed. The function row including the escape button was replaced with a touch screen that can and does display an escape button in the given context. It's still bad because the escape button is in a different place and doesn't always display at the right time. As a emacs user, escape is my meta key, I dislike it because it messes with my muscle memory.
> It's still bad because the escape button is in a different place and doesn't always display at the right time.
It's actually pretty much in the same place (touchable area is bigger than the visual button) and I'm pretty certain it displays at all times.
Missing the feedback is more than understandable criticism (that I agree with) but muscle memory of hitting the key in the first place itself shouldn't really change, hasn't for me - as someone who does use vim a fair amount.
What?! Ha. It almost seems like post-Jobs Apple "innovates" by removing classic user interfaces.