Will the radio shack cell phones without a data plan will text, picture message or even work?

Well to not keep playing with your emotions, let me tell this upfront that it is very unlikely for a brand to keep offering free services without any definite way of earning from that service. Radio shack too is no exception. Wherever you may have heard it could either be a publicity stunt bound to be taken away in a few days time or it may nothing more than a mere gossip flowing through the air in your ears. Just roll the words that you have said to me in your ears and try to analyze that could anything like this be ever turned into reality. In real world no dinner comes for free. Either the service is sponsored or is merely a marketing gimmick which is bound to give you a fake idea about the product for a few days and then evaporated like some fuel from an open tank. I would suggest you to not expect anything out of such promotion activities and create an opinion of yourselves against disguises, designed to trap the innocent.