This post attempts to share a different perspective
I've seen and participated in threads where the topic, poll or question surrounds ZOS decision not to have text chat in the traditional sense on Xbox one and ps4 only. I expect the majority of this community to disagree with ZOS's decisions and logic but that's no surprise for any change in this game as we all see the numerous threads each week. What I do hope is that many can open their perspectives to understand that there is a big population out there who play games but who interact very different than those you're accustomed to in any traditional MMO RPG game.

Topic goal: let's focus on the current decision and discuss viable ways to enjoy what we know will exist

Facts:
1 the console allows voice chat prox and group/guild voice chat with party chat options
2 neither console are sold with a keyboard but both support keyboards slightly different
3 both consoles are sold new with headsets and or headsets+camera with a mic
4 ZOS plans to add an emote text chat
5 the game only supports limited keyboard functionality for character names and guild names or sending mail
6 neither console has first party or third party hardware that allows a keypad to be attached to the controller that also would allow simultaneous voice and keypad support so it's one or the other.

Groups: I'll focus on a few (this doesn't cover everyone)
1 Traditional console gamer who doesn't use or game on a traditional PC
2 Hybrid gamer who owns both PC and console and who may even own all three or four+
3 traditional PC gamer (PC master race)
4 tweeners who switch back and forth depending on what appeals each generation


Going from PC to console for many on PC there were expectations that each brought with them because of the PC experience with this game and also based on what other games decided where those exist on PC and console.
There are a few examples on consoles but I'll focus on Neverwinter for PC and Xbox as it doesn't allow cross platform play.
Not that other examples don't apply but specific to this game, I will use the best literal translation.

What expectations did some have
-keyboard support
-keyboard chat support
-voice support

ZOS presented the game the week of console beta and some discovered on the forums that the text chat box that is a traditional experience of a PC mmorpg would not be on console. (Be sure to watch ESO live)
Neverwinter has text chat support via a keyboard so why not TESO. Well based on ZOS they decided not to create this experience as they found the target console gamer for them wouldn't find benefits in using both a controller and keyboard simultaneously.

Why this makes sense
-groups 1,2 and 4 have had other experiences with multi player games on console and in almost all, there is Not many games with text chat. Interesting enough, upon further looking into this, very few console games offer any sort of text chat box experiences at all. Also due to the complete redesign of the user interface where this applies to this game on console and others, there are no games other than Neverwinter who had a redesign from PC to console. There are games that had some design changes but largely the game looks very similar on all platforms.

Does any of that even matter....no not really its just an observation

What does matter
-how will people trade?
-how will people form guilds?
-how will people meet new friends?
-how will people PvP in Cyrodil?

TRADING
-guild store
-talking to people in town just like on PC but remove a zone chat and this will prompt people to gather in the market
-it drives different behaviors that are consistent with other console games
-(assume) using the emote text chat
-social networking

GUILDS/friends
-meeting random people in game
-forums
-guild websites
-console posts and forums
-social networking utilized by both consoles

PVP CYRODIL
-grouping tools
-voice chat
-party chat
-meet up at keeps and grouping
-pre planned organization in and outside the game
-forums
-guilds

POSITIVES
-it keeps spamming out
-it opens up the UI (maybe for a unique options or just a good view)
-bots should be slowed or almost stopped as it requires more work to spam
-account stealing and gold sellers can't utilize a zone chat
-it offers and drives a different experience compared to PC


From all the posts and threads on many different forums, social networking, Redditt and others the reaction is justified as it's different.
Best plan of action
-find the platform that meets your needs
-jump in and immerse yourself into the unique platform specific experience
-talk with others who are enjoying the game and figure out how to have fun and enjoy what best meets your needs.

In closing:
Nothing is for everyone and while the forums continue to overload with threads that complain or disagree about anything. Realize that what you see on these forums is but an extremely small portion of the player base. Using the suggested 700,000 players as of 2014 and then looking at the unique forum members and views of each post. Portions of people who don't play games with text chat also don't use the forums of those games.

Of the millions of console gamers today, many are happy with the experiences presented on the games so far as far as communication options.
Adding another option that requires them to buy more hardware and sit closer to the console isn't something that we hear in the console world often

The forum active users may make up less than 15% of the total player base on PC.
Console players can't even join the forums yet unless they were in closed console beta so all we have here are the PC voices or PC to console transfer voices

Let's allow the console market to experience ZOS's design as intended for console and allow 90-120 days to get to VR14 before demanding or stating any changes are needed unless it's a bug or something generating results not intended.

Cya all June 9th hopefully