Obama free phones are not smart phones, although some of the functionality referenced is present. I don’t think I’ve even seen even a Java app enabled phone under the Mobile Lifeline program. These models really aren’t even considered ‘feature’ phones. There isn’t a lot to work with as far as programming. You generally get a refurbished phone without choice of model. From what I just read, some of the providers do let you purchase a somewhat higher-end phone and use it according to the terms of Lifeline, but then it isn’t a free phone anymore (although the service is).
We have a client in the african american community who owns several businesses. The most profitable one - he buys phones from people when they upgrade for cash and resells them in the AA community to those who don’t have the credit rating to get a cool phone. The purchasers can then have them activated or added under the Obama phone plan. He will also buy your upgrade if you just want to keep your old phone and take the cash. Its strictly a cash business.
I don’ t understand how people who have no employment, no credit and are living entirely on benefits think its smart to pay $600 for a phone.