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[...] gigaom] postato da Alessandro Ferrazzi il venerdì 09 marzo 2007 [...]

The MagicJack doesn’t seem magic to me…

To me the MagicJack shouldn’t be connected to the USB port of a running computer, but directly to the DSL modem or the router. It could get it’s energy from the router’s Ethernet port. The entire phone software should be embedded in the device and n…

[...] instant messaging  networks including Google talk, MSN, Yahoo! and ICQ.  But few of them support Skype as it is a closed private protocol.  Nimbuzz is a Java application that can be used to chat with [...]

[...] team will make an incredibly interesting addition to an all ready bursting at the seams arena. Paul wrote about this first and there appears to be a form of a mini Armageddon going on in his posts [...]

[...] team will make an incredibly interesting addition to an all ready bursting at the seams arena. Paul wrote about this first and there appears to be a form of a mini Armageddon going on in his posts [...]

[...] team will make an incredibly interesting addition to an all ready bursting at the seams arena. Paul wrote about this first and there appears to be a form of a mini Armageddon going on in his posts [...]

What is so great about that MagicJack? I don’t see a breaktrough.

It lets you make phone calls only while your computer is switched on. When it’s off you cannot even receive calls. The MagicJack is basically a softphone on a USB stick, bundled with a $60 dollar a year VoIP contract. - That seems quite expensive and uncomfortable to me.

E. g. with the VoIP provider Voipstunt I have unlimited calls to USA, Canada, Germany, UK and other 30 countries - for about 36 dollars a year (= 10 Euros for 120 days).

I have Voipstunt installed on my analog telephony adapter (Fritz!Box), which connects my normal phone to my DSL connection. This means that I can make those VoIP calls and receive calls when my computer is switched off. It’s works like normal PSTN telephony, but is much cheaper.

I am really not impressed by this MagicJack. It seems as uncomfortable as Skype to me, which annoys me much because it works only when my computer is switched on.

Maybe they want to address clients which don’t understand VoIP. But often the VoIP providers consider their clientes too stupid.

This Jack is not so magic!

To me it seems too uncomfortable and its contract too expensive. Looking for solutions from abroad the USA you would have found much better and cheaper solutions, for instance the one I use: Fritz!Box + Voipstunt from Germany.

The site mentions follow me forwarding as a built in feature so you can recieve calls on your cell if your pc isn’t on.

The second year charges are supposed to be $20/year from what I’ve read elsewhere. The first year charges are higher for the hardware cost.

If it works and they stay in business, $20 a year isn’t a lot to pay. Wheres the profit coming from?

They are supposed to be giving away 1,500 ‘magicjacks’ to get the ball rolling.

The site mentions follow me forwarding as a built
in feature so you can recieve calls on your cell if
your pc isn’t on.

OK, at least they offer this. I really dislike to switch my computer on just to make a phone call or to get one. That’s no advancement in phone convenience but a decline.

WRONG.

Didn’t anyone listen or read?!

The initial cost will be $30 - $40 for the magicJack device…with FREE unlimited local and long distance calls - through your analog phone (or headset on PC if your prefer). No subscription or fees the first year whatsoever. Each add’l year is planned at around $20.00.

PLUS you can have your entire home wirelessly making FREE calls.

There is so much more.
Making rash and unfounded comments prior to knowing the facts seems very, well, wrong - to say the least. Markus Göbel states in his web site he is a journalist?

Herb Greenberg has been using the device (in beta)for quite awhile. The MagicJack’s functionality will make it a category killer. I know. I have been involved with its development for years. To think that this is just another VOIP offer is just plain naive…

What makes the magicJack so different?
1.Ease of use.There is no other device in the world,where you plug into a USB,up and running in a minute with plug and play and you plug in a telephone.This is one of a kind.

2.The price for the device and service will be unmatched.For the $40 or so dollars,you will get free LD and Local for a year,you will get a memory stick,you will get software and you will have the only single device that enables click to call.

3.The Network is considerably different than all others.We have 31 Gateways that enables us to achieve the best quality,and the lowest cost structure.There isn’t another consumer marketing company,that can say the same.

4.The CLEC is certified in 49 states with interconnection everywhere.This is a real Phone company.

The list goes on.To compare Skype to magicJack is disgraceful.Their quality of service is far inferior to magicJack as they use their customers own computers for their Network.That is the largest reason Skype has done little in US,Americans won’t put up with this service level.

It’s pretty neat if I can do multiple daily 911 ALI database changes for $20/year.

Paul

I am Happy to educate your readers,for now.Skype charges for an inbound number and outbound calls.It is like $60 a year.They do not give you a very valuable device,that can be argued is worth $70,to enable you to use your regular phone.They do not offer plug and play,it takes some people a long time to install skype.They are not allowed by law to offer a complete phone service,because they do not offer 911 services.Therefore not a replacement service,because who just wants inbound or just outbound.Do you thinki 911 is important?Their service is terrible when calling outside parties because they do not use dedicated servers,they in fact use their customers computers-it is pretty much a joke.They do not enable you to call from outlook to the outside.They do not enable you to use click to call with a phone on anybody you want to call from your screen.Let me give you a very good story,when I was running Talk.com,we recieved a JD Power Award.It was not because we had the best customer care,it was because we had the best price.People put up with inferior service when the price point is ridiculous low.With magicJack you get great price and great quality.Maybe that is why we sold 20% of the AOL base,4 million customers on my last company.That company offered 30% off MCI and AT&T.This is 97% discount off.I think we will do just fine with MagicJack,done that been there.Thanks you for drawing attention to the new Telecom Revolution part II.This will be better for a lot of reasons than part 1.

Dan

Hello Andrew Jed,

let me reply directly to your comment. I think you are wrong with what you wrote and you still don’t convince me.

Didn’t anyone listen or read?!

The initial cost will be $30 - $40 for the
magicJack device…with FREE unlimited local
and long distance calls - through your analog
phone (or headset on PC if your prefer). No
subscription or fees the first year whatsoever.
Each add’l year is planned at around $20.00.

And? What is so great about that? For $40 I get one year of unlimited local and long distance calls as well, as I explained in my comments. And I don’t even have to switch on my computer to make them. So the MagicJack would worsen my situation if I would change my at home configuration for it.

PLUS you can have your entire home wirelessly making FREE calls.

And wo what? That’s what I do already with my configuration. I have a DECT phone connected to my Fritz!Box that let’s me wirelessly do free phone calls without the need to switch my computer in.

There is so much more.
Making rash and unfounded comments prior to
knowing the facts seems very, well, wrong -
to say the least. Markus Göbel states in his
web site he is a journalist?

Well, thanks for your appreciation of journalism as a profession. But maybe you don’t know: Even journalists can make mistakes.

Moreover in this very case none of your arguments convinces me and I still think that I am right with every word I wrote in the comment above.

I am eagerly awaiting your next comment.

And also an answer to Dan Borislow:

What makes the magicJack so different?
1.Ease of use.There is no other device in the
world,where you plug into a USB,up and running
in a minute with plug and play and you plug in
a telephone.This is one of a kind.

Well I have already read about many similar USB stick devices that you plug in your computer and then you can start talking via VoIP, without the need to install a software: Vonage V-Phone, MPlat FlashPhone or Sandisk’s Skype on a USB stick.

OK, with the MagicJack you don’t need a headset but you can use your normal phone for the call. But is this really a breaktrough? When my computer is runnig and I am talking to a friend I just talk into my computer, which has a great microphone and sound with echo cancelation. For what would I need to pick up the phone that is connected to the MagicJack?

The pricing for MagicJack’s phone calls is no big revelation to me as I stated above.

Still I am very open minded for more clarifying comments. Maybe Paul Kapustka can explain and moderate to avoid further defamations? Especially Andrew Jed’s comment did neither please nor convince me.

Best regards,
Markus Goebel

Markus

When you went to go to in your backyard and swig down some Becks,do you bring your laptop outside with all those songbirds and talk to your favorite girl?

What happened when you were finally making time with your girl,and Voip!Stunts only server caught on fire and she might have hooked up with somebody else by the time they restored their service?(we have 31 we use)

Were you surprised when you started getting billed 13 cents a call,when the Voip!Stunt promo was over after 120 days?

Lastly,Fritz!box told me that it is impossible to use Voip!stunt softphone on it.How did you do it.

Jump on the magicJack bandwagon,for you surely have nothing to lose.

Paul

Now that you are more educated after you wrote your prior pieces,where can I send you a couple Betas.You have my email.It is one thing for me to write about it,but when you try it,you will fit right into the magicJack fan club.I think you are upset I did not send you the First Beta,maybe we can heal that wound.

Dan

Hello Dan,

after all we are calming down, but still I want to answer you comments, being polite and only argumenting about the device and it’s pricing. There were some personal attacks that have not been started by me. But I understand that attacks on ones product can easily been taken personally.

When you went to go to in your backyard and
swig down some Becks,do you bring your laptop
outside with all those songbirds and talk
to your favorite girl?

That’s exactly what I don’t like to do: Grab my laptop just to make a phone call. There is a device that’s called “telephone”. You don’t have to boot it. You can take it to the backyard and make phone calls. Only that it is easier to use as a laptop, weighs less and is just as mobile because I use a wireless phone. This phone is connected to my WLAN-Router/VoIP device (Fritz!Box) so that I have calls to 30 countries for free. Still I find this much more comfortable as the MagicJack. But let’s please not start the fight again!

If you want to learn more about the Fritz!Box (that I am not affiliated with, but only a fan) click here:

(link)

What happened when you were finally making time
with your girl, and Voip!Stunts only server
caught on fire and she might have hooked up with
somebody else by the time they restored their
service? (we have 31 we use)

That’s a good point!

I agree that Voipstunt can possibliy dissapear from one day to another. They are obviously underpricing. The outage because of the fire was the first I experienced in two years and lasted only 4 hours. Too short to even sell this news to the media!

Voipstunt is a very “no frills” service. They are just cheap and I don’t know if they give any kind of support. But for me they failed only 4 hours in two years.

Were you surprised when you started getting
billed 13 cents a call,when the Voip!Stunt promo
was over after 120 days?

That’s never happening. When the 120 days are over the countries I call cost about 1 Cent. I just don’t miss the 120 days. When there is no money anymore on my Voipstunt account the phone does not work anymore. In this case I have 9 other VoIP providers installed in my Fritz!Box (as fallback options and also because I a am a geek who tries out all the VoIP services). But normally I do a quick Paypal to Voipstunt and a minute later I can go on making phone calls.

Lastly, Fritz!Box told me that it is impossible
to use Voip!stunt softphone on it. How did you do
it.

Well I don’t know to whom you talked and what’s your technical background. But I suppose you know how easy it is to configure a VoIP device like the Fritz!Box. You just have to type Voipstunt’s login name, password, registrar, proxy-Server and STUN server into Fritz!Box’ built in website and yet you can do the first phone call. This takes about 1 minute.

It’s not “impossible” to use Voipstunt on a Fritz!Box. I do it every day. As well I use Sipgate, GMX, Tpad, Ekiga, Gizmo Project, FWD and others on the same device. As I said I try to check all of the interesting VoIP services.

I like the VoIP industry very much and see it with the eyes of a client. To me and to my buddies the most appealing point is to save money. VoIP should work like a PSTN telephony but cheaper.

Jump on the magicJack bandwagon,for you surely
have nothing to lose.

Good idea. I accept the peace offer. After all I am a journalist who is eager to check out every new VoIP service. If I am wrong with what I write in GigaOM’s comments, my own blog or my articles I am always open for further discussion and to rectify what I said.

Now that you are more educated after you wrote
your prior pieces, where can I send you a couple
Betas. You have my email. It is one thing for me
to write about it, but when you try it, you will
fit right into the magicJack fan club.

OK, I will email you and I promise that I will definitely write something good if it convinces me. You know my doubts as stated above. But maybe the MagicJack is such a great device that suddenly it becomes a pleasure to make calls on a laptop instead of a phone.

I suppose that all you VoIP companies are very nervous because you have to deal with razor sharp margins. And then comes a guy like me who openly explains how he tries to get it all for free. This can be a pain, I know, and the reason for flaming my comment.

See me as a voluntary beta tester! The voice of the thrifty client. :)

Best regards,
Markus Goebel

Who is the CLEC behind this?
How does 911 support work?

I have Sunrocket and am currently trying ViaTalk. I would be interested in beta testing the MagicJack if you have any devices to spare.

Hi,

I am involved in sourcing and evaluating various electronic components. Currently, I am on the hunt for the best voip usb stick. I would like to take you up on your offer to get one of the magicjacks to tryout. Note: I am currently looking at several options.

Kind Regards,
Darren

I am one of the people who is very computer illiterate, tried Skype (and hated it) and really didn’t want to deal with VOIP providers and whatever it took to get their product hooked up. I was so excited about Magicjack, and still am. THIS is the product for me and my family. Skype was a joke. My friend uses Yahoo and all I hear is echo when he calls.

From a non-techno geek, Magicjack is very exciting. I’m sold. $20 a year. How can you beat that?!!? I just don’t understand why people are ranting about magicjack. Ah, well . . .

i use skype. i paid $38 per year for skypeIN. i have unlimited calls to any phone in the US and Canada for $30 per year. i have USB skype phone; i just plug it into my USB port, sign-in Skype, and talk from there.

i traveled to other countries often, and i use call forwarding (skypeOUT) about 18 cents per min.

if i switch over to magicjack, i’d pay $20 per year after the 1st year plus international charges.

how are the international charges comparing to skype??????

I had the opportunity to use Magicjack last night for the first time. It is absolutely the BEST invention to come around in ages. The calls were crystal clear. My landline phone (AT&T) has had awful sound quality since I moved to my current house in Chicago in 2004. I tried Skype but was so annoyed with the echo and delay (USB cordless phone) that I stopped using Skype. MagicJack is exactly what is needed by busy people like me: full time job, 3 kids who I spend tons of time with when I get home (homework, playing, talking). By the time they’re in bed, I have no time to mess around trying to figure computer “stuff” out (mainly because i have no interest in computers). MagicJack installed itself in about 2 minutes time. After that, I plugged in my phone and started making calls. It is UNBELIEVABLE!!! I’ve already begun spreading the word on this.

I have a question and a comment: Can I port my current number to Magicjack for incoming calls?

My comment: The price point is incredibly low. I wouldn’t suggest raising it but I would realistically pay upwards of $50 for the hardware, EASILY. Probably more than that. Just a comment there, this product is THAT good. These computer journalists who have all the time in the world to mess around at their computers all day are not in touch with the real world, where people crave ease of use and simplicity . . . we don’t want to have to have 13 different VOIP providers, dozens of routers, etc. We don’t want any hassle’s.

This service BLOWS SKYPE OUT OF THE WATER!

Thank you Mr. Borislow! You are the BEST thing to happen to phone service since Bell created the phone!

I am just a user looking for a phone service at my new home. Decided to wait a month for MagicJack rather than sign up for Vonage or SunRocket.

The question above is very relevant to me: why can’t the device plug directly into the modem or router instead of USB port?

Hi, I’ve been testing MagicJack since early January with the best result so ever. currently I’m in Argentina making calls to my kids in US for free……..with the best quality …….I used to have net2phone or skype, and the quality does not compare…THis is a killer for the guys “on the road”…just open your laptop in the hotel plug MagicJack and call home or work free.
thanks Dan.

Does anyone know if MagicJack is a private company? It seems very interesting to me. I will be at the conference and try it.

I am in the market for a VOIP service. I currently use Skype (paid for it!) as well as a service from CordiaIP. My feelings about Skype are somewhat similar to Dan’s. I hate the voice quality, the fact that one can’t use a normal telephone. I would also like to get rid of CordiaIP only because their customer support sucks. My service was down for three weeks, and then I had to spend practically a half day with a support tech, including allowing him to remote control into my PC to configure my router (I know, I know, that sounds stupid, but I needed the service to be up). Finally, they got it running and promised me credit for the period when the service was down. No luck so far. My only problem is I have a phone number with them that has been splashed all over my business cards and other places. Can I port it to MagicJack? And Dan or Paul, can I get my grubby little hands on one of those beta thingies?

All the best for the MagicJack launch.

Srini

I am so intrigued by this product! I have tried several VOIP providers, the latest being Gizmo Project, which in my opinion is a far better product than Skype and many others. Paul if you have any extra MagicJacks to spare, I would very much like to be a beta tester.

Here’s to much success with MagicJack!

Gina

Hi, I have been doing some research on this MagicJack, and so far this product seems to be amazing. I would much like to beta test this if I could, so if there are any extra MagicJacks out there please email me where to get my hands on one. Also when do they start taking orders?

What happened to Magicjack?????

If the MagicJack device is USB and the phone plugs into the device, then how is it that the phone can be used while the computer is off?

Can the MagicJack device be used without a phone plugged into it like the Vonage usb one?

I’m interested in a device that I can plug into my laptop and use to make phone calls with a headset. I would also like to be able to plug my multifunction printer into the device so that I can send faxes when I’m at home. I’d like the device to be small and the MagicJack looks like it is. My question is, can it do the above functions that I am looking for?

Also, will it run on a Mac running Windows XP, and if it does, will it run in OS X using Parallels?

I’d love to be a beta tester, but I’m sure that enough people have already volunteered. I certainly would like to be a tester if you need one for an OS X version of the software or someone to test compatibility with Parallels.

When will the device be available? April has passed, still the website has no response to buyers.

Magicjack?

My guess is that the company has received a ton of great suggestions & critiques. I have been testing and it’s incredible, the clarity of calls. I, too, am getting anxious for it to officially launch so I can port my current landline number to Magicjack and finally DUMP AT&T’s outrageous prices.

It seems the official site for them is selling them now, I was able to create an account and log in to purchase one. The site seems buggy.

Try this URL:
(link)

Todd, do you need the computer on to receive calls?

I’ll check tonight whether the computer needs to be on or not. I have only tried calling while it is on. I’ll update you tomorrow.

I’m ready to dump AT&T/BellSouth lousy service for magicJack, but I need to have a phone number with my 502 area code in Louisville, KY

It would be nice to port my current phone number too, but if that’s not possible I can live with a different number in the 502 area code.

Please let me know when I can get a 502 area code number and then I will buy magicJack.

Thanks.
Sincerely,
Alan

Sorry, I still haven’t had time to try the service when the computer is off . . . things have been so busy lately I just make calls and can’t take the time to try that out. I got Chicago Bulls playoff tix tonite so it may be a couple of more days! Using it last night, though, I would think it CAN’T be used when the computer is off since there is a screen that pops up when you use it, where the phone number is entered.

Also, regarding the porting of numbers I had the same question. Their customer support people indicated that it will be available at some point in the future for a fee. I’m looking forward to that day as well.

Where is magic jack? The web site is gone.

Dennis the site is up right now. Also, I noticed there has been work on the site today as a link not working yet has been added (link)

Sincerely,
Alan

I am the one that posted this:

It seems the official site for them is selling them now, I was able to create an account and log in to purchase one. The site seems buggy.

Try this URL:
(link)

They finally sent me an email saying that it will be shipped on the 11th, the site still seems buggy (the URL I gave still works, and I just logged in, again) It seems I am customer # 58 in their books, whee!

Anyways, I will post here again once I get it and share my experiences.

re: running it with the PC off, no, that’s impossible since a) it is USB and transfers VoIP data over the computer and b) since it uses the CPU to do most of it’s work (software instead of hardware based). I plan on sticking it into an old dual P3 600 I have here - I hope it runs with ubuntu, if not I’ll have to stick win2k3 on there.

Oh… and one other thing. Here is where I first heard of it.

(link)

(link) is open right now.
I posted my question in the forum topic MagicJack Phone Service

Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:45 pm Post subject: When Will magicJack Offer 502 Area Code Phone Numbers?

I want sign up for the magicJack service, but I have a couple of questions. When will magicJack offer 502 area code phone numbers?

It would be nice to port my current phone number too, but if that’s not possible I can live with a different number in the 502 area code.

Is it true that magicJack is offering only Florida area code phone numbers right now?

Sincerely,
AlaninKY

I got mine today, and as promised I am posting here.

The device is working perfectly, and I must say I am very impressed with the service quality. Voicemail is a bit confusing, but other then that, it works great!

I have a few small complaints about the interface, but they are merely dislikes and nothing app-killing.

The device is as shown on the pages, clear with a view of the innards, it has a blue LED lighting the innards through the window. Very eye-catching. The device is about the size of a JumpDrive (about 1″x1/2″x2″)

They had two choices for a phone number, and I chose the one for Seattle, WA even though I live in NC.

I must say again the quality of the audio is astounding!

For the curious, I have cable internet, and am behind a WRT54GS with DDWRT. I didnt have to open a port or anything, it was truly plug, let it install, answer a couple questions, and call someone!

I decided to try out magicJack now. I ordered one on June 21, 2007 and received it on June 25,2007. Below is my first report.

magicJack voice quality is great! It’s better than my AT&T land line and better than my cell phone!

This is my first report on my use of magicJack. I only had time to set it up and test sending and getting phone calls for an hour. I installed magicJack on my main computer at home which is an XP 2005 media center O/S on a Dell PC with all the window updates installed and my broadband connection is through Insight in Louisville, KY. I have a router and access point at home too.

I just installed magicJack with the phone line connected directly to the magicJack. I used my speakers and mic as the way to communicate with magicJack. I had no problems installing magicJack except I did have to go to (link) to get my audio to work. The instructions to fix the audio issues were simple and it did work. I registered magicJack as it gave me the option to pick Colorado 303 area code with prefix 719 for Denver, Michigan 734 area code with prefix 708 for Detroit, Minnesota 952 area code with prefix 583 for Minneapolis, Nevada area code 702 with prefix 421 for Las Vegas, Tennessee area codes 901 and 615 with the 901 area code having prefix 217 for Memphis and the 615 area code having the prefix 530 for Nashville, and Washington 206 area code with prefix 497 for Seattle.
I picked Nashville area code 615 with prefix 530 and magicJack assigned me the last 4 digits of my new phone number.

I made and received phone calls, followed the simple magicJack software instructions to setup the voice mail and the phone system does work with crystal clear audio which is better than my cell phone or crappy AT&T land line.

When I have my phone line hooked into magicJack my regular crappy AT&T land line will get the busy signal when trying to dial that number.
That is really no big deal as I plan to use this magicJack at home to listen to my Monday nights long distance real estate teleseminars and make long distance phone calls to friends, etc.

I do plan to hook up magicJack to a regular phone and set the user friendly magicJack software menu feature to work with a regular phone, but thought it was neat that it will work with a phone line hooked directly to magicJack using the computer mic and speakers.

When magicJack offers me to port my home and office phone numbers that will be great as then it will be time to buy magicJacks to work on my office phone lines and to buy magicJacks as real estate closing gifts and as Christmas, and birthday gifts. :)

I’m in love with YMax Communications magicJack.:)

Here is a cordless Uniden phone that will work with magicJack.
Uniden American Corp cordless phone model EX17960 will work. Just take any phone cord and stick one end on magicJack and the other end plug into the spot on Uniden that has a slot for the phone line. Of course the magicJack is in a USB port of a computer and the computer must be running.
Now your old regular land line with it own regular phone number will still work too. So what you have now is an extra phone with your magicJack phone number. Hopefully sometime you can get your area code and then sometime down the road port your land line number to the magicJack and then cancel out your old regular land line.

Corded GE phone Model 2-9223BKB also does work with magicJack.

Phone Results When Watching Streaming Video On Computer

I ran a magicJack phone test while watching streaming video on the computer.

I was able to receive and make calls using my cordless Uniden EX17960 phone and I still had crystal clear audio! I’m using Insight cable broadband.
It’s impressive the phone audio was crystal clear and better than my cell phone or my lousy AT&T land line.

I’ve used some sort of uniden cordless phone, not sure what the model is but I do know that it’s ancient, with excellent results as well. My main phone, which I still use with my landline (cordless as well) worked great with Magicjack as well.

I’m waiting to port my current number before I disconnect my landline . . . I’m counting the days, though.

It’s a great product.

Would having a router on one channel with an access point on another channel allow two magicJacks to work with each magicJack on a different computer with one connected to the router and the other connected to the access point?

I’m going to find out for myself the answer to the above question. I just ordered my 2nd magicJack. When it does come I’ll try my idea out.
At home I already have the above setup. At the office I only have a router. There is no point in buying an access point for the office until I find out if my idea will work.

The bottom line is this does work as both magicJacks can make and receive phone calls without conflict!

The 2nd magicJack I ordered came in the mail this morning. I had no trouble installing it on a Dell Inspiron E1705 laptop with XP media center O/S. I didn’t even have to adjust the audio settings this time! I registered
this magicJack with a different e-mail address with same area code (615) and prefix 530 since Nashville, Tennessee is closest available area code/prefix to Louisville, KY available to me at this time.

MagicJack #1 is connected to a computer that is connected to a Linksys WRT54GL Wireless G Broadband router using channel 6. MagicJack #2 is on the laptop that is connected to a Linksys WAP54G Wireless G access point using channel 11. I’m using Insight cable modem service.

There you have one way to have two magicJacks working!

Ok, Im reading all these comments but still confused….

You pay $40 and they ship you a usb analog phone adapter and they give you a phone number.

You can then make calls unlimited to any phone in the world for the entire year and receive unlimited incoming calls, with no other charges??? How can this be? I understand that calls through internet dont cost but eventually they got to go from the net to pots. Please explain if I am misunderstanding this service.

Also, any word on porting?

Jeff, I agree your question I am STILL confused on where they plan on making their $$. They must either be planning on advertising on the screen that pops up when you make a call or something similar.

It’s such a wonderful service, I just don’t understand it, either. Once porting is available, I’m kissing AT&T goodbye. As it is now, all long distance calls are being done via magic jack. It’s a unique service.

I do hope someone else can provide a definitive answer to your question.

Did anyone read the terms of service, they’re ridiculous and you can not print them out nor can you see them anywhere after you agree to them…

The reason MagicJack can afford to give out the service for free is because it is a private company with alot of brains
1st off the service is given out for free other then purchasing the product and the licence free. Since the service is free no taxes,no fees no anything extra to pay.
2nd everyone on the planet earth can afford 40 bucks a year and then only 20 bucks for the next year.Just think of how many millions of people,teenagers,retires,
college students,frugal pennie pinchers,everyone will have one.When you have something sooo affordable it will be like having a microwave or a dvd player.
The owner of this company sees the bigger picture down the road. he will probably be in every home in America.
If you have a quality product that is easy to use and anyone can afford -
you hit the jack pot!
People are lead to believe that services cost so much money and most things really dont, companys choose to price things as they see fit and if thier is a service you have to have then you suck it up and buy it.
Look at HIGH SPEED internet(high price internet it should be called) $50-55 dollars a month for something that is really no difference then a satellite transmition. It really is a rip off but what can you do at the moment.
I am sure in the future even that will
meet its price match.

Jeff, you cannot make calls to any phone in the world. It cannot be ported.

Todd, they do plan to make money using advertising.

These and other questions have been answered here
(link)

I just ordered one, but one thing I’m not clear about, maybe someone can help me understand. (2 Questions)

(1) I understand I can plug in a phone to the USB device and make/receive calls. But…can I plug in a CORD from my wall jack to the device and then all phones at my home will work with it?

If that works then its is a huge advantage over those services that require a PC speaker/mic or headset to make calls. I have a spare PC that can be my “PBX” and make/receive calls from any house phone.

(2) And if that works as described above, I would never see any advertising. Therefore, what is the upside to those that are advertising? It may not be the best business model and I’m back to wondering can the sustain enough cashflow to be around. I certainly hope so.

MagicJack works great. I have used it everyday for a month without any problems. We do keep our computer on around the clock, but most people do anyways. Anyways, people call our cell phones and we return their call via magicjack, which means if the computer is off, we just turn it on and call.

I got my Magic Jack this week. It worked perfectly right out the package. Actually it took me more time to unwrap it than to install it haha. I have it connected to a router that shares an Asterisk box with 4 VoIP lines, a stanalone Vonage line and about 5 computers at home. it works perfectly. Great job Dan.

My main gripe against Magic Jack is that there is no real info on its web site, just marketing hype. The only way I have managed to find out more is by reading through this friendly debate above.
I figured it’s a USB-analog phone adapter packaged with a VOIP service, - but the web site doesn’t bother to say this. It only says you can make free phone calls etc.
It’s all very well saying that info is available if you email the questions, but that sort of thing should be on the web site.

Agreed - their website doesn’t do the best job explaining what MJ is, its requirements, etc.

What else do you want to know?

I can tell you this - I am cancelling my AT&T home phone line to use MJ exclusively - I will have a cell also, but my primary # will be MJ. And since there are no local numbers here in Indianapolis for MJ, I use GrandCentral which is free by the way, and it has a local # which forwards to my MJ phone. So the caller only needs 1 local # (the GrandCentral #).

Leaving the computer on all the time is not
just inconvenient, its not great for the
hydro bill either, you have to factor this
into the savings.

Hi Everyone!

Today I ordered a magicjack to replace my Vonage phone. During the ordering process, they asked for my telephone number and I gave my Vonage number. However, I’m living with my sister now and she has AT&T telephone service. Due to my ignorance of voip and such, will this cause a problems with being able to connect the magicjack correctly?

Thank you for any helpful response.
Dusty

I’m writing this to Mr. Borislow, because there is absolutely no way to contact him at his websites (a real red flag, to me). The contact email address at ymaxcorp returns mail to you (yes, i put in the @ sign)

Dear Mr. Borislow,

I just wanted to tell you why I’m not buying
Magicjack, even though I need a product like it.

The reason is that your advertising is insulting and a lie, and thus I don’t trust you. All of your marketing stuff talks about “free” when none of it is free. The calls are only “free” after I have paid for the product. Similarly, Oreo cookies are “free” after I’ve paid $3 for the
box.

You insult my intelligence by use of the word free. And if you’re lying about that, then I can only suspect that you might be lying about other things. So I don’t trust you.

You could use the words “unlimited” and “included” and that would be honest. But you chose to deceive.

I don’t mind the price; it’s not the paying that bothers me. It’s that you’re lying and deceptive, and other things about the deal are probably deceptive.

Change your marketing and advertising to honest verbiage and I will buy.

I have been a Vonage customer for almost three years, but with their troubles as a company, I have looked for a backup plan incase Vonage service suddenly goes south.

I have used my MagicJack for about two weeks. I must say that the quality of the calls has been very good overall. Yes, there are times were I do hear some jitter, but more times than not, the quality has been good.

Right now, so I can test MagicJack everday, I have auto-forwarded my Vonage number to my MJ line. I am also feeding my entire house with my MJ service by running an analog line from the USB device, to one of the analog ports in the house. I can now plug into any phone jack in the house and get a dial tone. (Go here for a article on how this is done - (link) )

I do not mind having to keep my computer running at all times, as I normally do not ever turn it off anyways.

One thing I have to figure out is that the MJ application needs to stay running for the line to work. This was a problem in that the other people in the house may accidently closes the MJ app, and then the phone would stop working. As a work around, I have enable user-switching on my XP workstation, and have created a MJ account which stays logged in with the MJ application running.
Now, others can log into their personal account, and the MJ will operate in the background.

I am also confused on how this company plans on making any money, but right now, I am please, and I am hopeing to be able to eventually get rid of Vonage, and use this exclusively.

I love my magicJack device! I get better audio/sound quality then I ever did with Vonage. I only use it for long distance calls. I’m just waiting for the time when we can get an area code in the Chicagoland area. In the mean time…I’m usung ‘GrandCentral’ by google. That way I’ll have a Chicago area code as well as the ability to transfer my calls to my landline or cell phone when my computer is off. Thankyou for magicJack!!! :D

Hi, I have dail up for my internet service can i still use the magicjack ? please let me know, thank you. mark

I bought MJ a month ago after reading some reviews here. I totally regret buying that. I think paying a few $$ more for Skype I would have got a better service.
I am never able to call on my MJ. Though the voice quality is top notch and so it the ease of installation, but whats the point if I am not able to receive calls on it. I think MJ is just not Mature enough yet. It has a scope of improvement and then it will give a hard time to Skype, Vonage et all. At present using MJ out of USA is not a good option WHATSOEVER.

Karan, I’m not agree with your comment. I live in Venezuela. I have a friend that lives between Caracas and Miami, and he bought a MagicJack just for test. He can call to US using another methods, but is a mess. My friend give to me to test it for some days, and I’m impressed. I have a 1.5Mb/s link DSL in my house, and MagicJack WORKS PERFECTLY here in Venezuela, making calls to anyone in US. Neither my friend nor me tested MagicJack in the US, because we open the package here in Caracas, and it’s still here.

Really, the quality is awesome. Too easy to install, even in different machines, just plug a simple analog headset, and you’re on the go… Sound is crystal clear, even on unstable connections. I tested in an Ev-DO link and works excellent (if you have medium to strong signal, at least tested here in Movilnet network)

Congrats to the inventor of MagicJack… 5 stars! :)

Wow! Okay, I’m officially excited about this thing. Now the big question, well, maybe not so big, but can we plug our TiVos into this thing???? Seriously. Will this device work to get TiVo updates?

When will it be ready for the Mac?

I hope one of you techy type people can help me out. I’m thinking of trying magicjack out… but I have a strange internet service provider. I live in Saint Cloud, Florida where there is a pilot program in effect. Basically, we have free internet connection via satellite. I don’t know how these things work… I have a wireless adapter that picks up the signal. Will magic jack work with this?

I use magic jack. It only costs $20 a year after the first year. It works great. Yes you have to leave your computer on, but if you have a media pc you leave on all the time anyway, whats the problem? Plus, if your computers off calls go to your free answering machine. I gotta tell you this is an awesome deal and if you look into it, you’ll buy one.

There is lag with satellite which may make your calls a little strange, but it will work. The company doesn’t recommend it with satellite.

Any new area codes coming?

I am now using MJ for 3 months from CO. Initially for 1-2 Months it worked great. And I started recommending it to all. But since last month I am experiencing lots of call dropping and voice dropping. It so funny I can hear other side but they cannot, then some time I cannot hear them. Its really frustrating but only sliver line is I paid only $40.But yes I had stop recommending and trying to rectify my earlier recommendations to friends

I see this thread is still going strong!
magicJack is still in beta and the time dates for various improvements are still arriving later than predicted, but I’m having success still with my 3 magicJacks. Granted the service outages are not good to have and I’m not overjoyed I still have to use Nashville, Tennessee area code phone numbers since none are available for Louisville, KY.
I believe the service will be a huge success when the bugs are worked out. Also,in my situation I find, when the service is on, the audio quality is better than cell and better than the crappy AT&T lines in Louisville, KY. I am NOT experiencing any call dropping and voice dropping.

I am the inventor of magicJack.This thread really is Strong.

We have made vast improvements to the offering over the last few weeks.

1.All the upgrades and redundancy have been added to the Network,except for a major softphone upgrade coming soon.This has produced very reliable serive over the last 10 days or so and should stay that way.

2.We have added many,many areas to get Phone numbers.LA should be complete soon and we will get the next markets in the following 100days.

3.Customer service has vastly improved and people really like the Tech Chat.

4.We are on the one yard line in being able to offer International and changing your number.

5.Our Sales are growing at over 30% new signups per week.

6.There should be significantly less issues for Beta users now and if you have one,we will fix it.Reach me at Dan.Borislow@magicJack.com

7.Our anticipated Launch is now scheduled for the CES show.

8.Our service is now starting to be recognized as the highest Voice quality in the business,which I am very proud of ,particularly when we are the least expensive by far.

I am always available and look forward to your suggestions.Email me.

Dan

Hi Dan,
I have been reading and have not found if there are any available area code in Canada more specifically Ottawa Ontario… When do you plan on expanding to Canada?
Thanks
Stephane

I have been very happy with the Magicjack. I have it hooked to an old laptop running XP that I no longer use everyday. It will use less power than a desktop. I mm using Grandcentral so I could have an 805 area code to forward to my Magicjack number and my cell phone. Using Grandcentral’s voice mail and web dialer so my calls go from my Grandcentral number instead of my Magicjack number works well. I installed the echo cancellation utility at (link)
which solved a problem with my calls cutting out at the other end.

Thanks,
Bruce

I live in Thailand.. Are there any MJ users who use this here? I want to have a U.S phone number so that my boyfriend can add me to his free callers list hence he won’t have to pay for my calls or to call me on my MJ number. Please let me know, at the moment our cell phone bills are killing us!

Hi. I’ve just found out about Magic Jack. So I have a few questions and concerns.
How do you or, can you hook up two or more home phones by using MJ?
Will you have to buy and use two or more separate MJ’s?
Can you use two or more MJ’s (two or more phone hook ups) via a usb hub adapter coming from your computer?
However, one of my major concerns about MJ is: What if I was to have my power/electricity interupted- that means no more telephone service!
That’s kind of telling me that I may still have the need to keep my old land line phone around unfortunately.
That being said, I wonder will I be able to share my Verizone number with MJ, so when my electricity goes down, my land line will still ring with the same number.
If anyone can answer these questions, thanks in advance.

I noticed that MagicJack released new phone numbers today but there are none for the Orange County area of Southern California. Does anyone know if more phone numbers are coming and when?

FYI to anyone else, I got an email from Mr. Borislow yesterday that the phone numbers for LA area should be coming next week - how is that for customer service! Kc

This is also addressed to Dan.

I ordered the MJ on Wednesday evening and it was in my mailbox Saturday. I plugged it into some of the equipment I have around the house.

Compaq SR1675CL - Windows Media Center - will not install, blue light does not come on (I’m suspecting it Media Center that it doesn’t like)

HP dv2000 Series - Windows Vista - incredible! Works great using $11 Radio Shack phone the sound quality is out of site!

Great Quality 5090 (Fry’s house brand) - Windows XP - again incredible! Same $11 RS phone. Talked to a friend for 30 minutes while he was on his way to LA from Vegas. Not a single hiccup in the call. Land-line quality and clarity!

Dan, I am seriously stating that this magicJack is probably one of the greatest, if not the greatest techno-gadget to come along in a very long time. I’m getting may daughter one so I can get her off my cell bill :-)

Now with all that said…

The magicJack web site is probably the worst, most irritating site I have ever, yes EVER encountered! I appreciate the need to spread the word, but that introductory flash file is just too over the top!

I feel like Billy Mays is going to be jumping up screaming for me to buy the 55-gallon drum of Kaboom shower cleaner. I’d rather watch 6 non-top hours of the Magic Bullet infomercials that to spend 10 seconds with your flash intro.

Not to worry though… I’ve got another friend that has two 7th grade boys that make really super websites (well, compared to magicJack’s)

Dan, I hope that you read this with the tongue-in-cheek attitude with which I send it, but please… I’m begging you man… go hire a competent web designer. Seriously, I can tell this magicJack thing is NOT a scam. A scam would have had a much better web site.

No privacy statement.

No TOS.

Just that obnoxious infomercial blaring at me! I thought I was going to have to change the color of my pills the first time I visited the site.

One heck of a product. I wish you, magicJack and YMax all the best and that this is a rousing success for all of us. Oh, and Happy Holidays.

THX

symo

It’s probably just me, but
1. I don’t get any signal for incoming calls, just works outgoing.
2. I can’t get voicemail to answer or work.

I have outlived my ability to understand all this. It says I will never have a phone bill but don’t I need an internet connection. Is it possible to connect to the interntet without having a phone service provider providing broadband or at least some kind of connection to the internet. I would love to have this as my only phone bill. I tried to get help on the site but got nowhere. Is there any other contact method for some pre kindergarten sub-basic couputer help.