Review by CromeDome05 
UPDATED: 193 days ago
member for 4.4 years, 217 visits, last login: 156 days ago
 Laurel,Prince Georges,MD
 $2 per month
 about 4 days
 "EXTREMELY AFFORDABLE"
 "Website lacking, PC MUST be on, Lacking features"
 "$20 a year, however, this should not be your primary line."
| Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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Short Update: (4-01-08)
Call quality and service have gotten better and more reliable. I had my PC hooked up through a wireless bridge to my router. Now its hard-wired to the router with an ethernet cable and call quality has gotten a lot more consistent and less choppy (even when downloading files at the same time). I am now starting to become really happy. For those who are hooked up wirelessly, I would recommend hard-wiring your PC/Laptop to your modem/router for the best call quality...This has me a bit curious for people who want to use a MJ in hotels or wi-fi hotspots.
My caller ID is still having issues. I was told to get a powered USB Hub to "boost" the power of the magic jack. Dont know if I will do that.
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Short Update: (3-06-08)
Caller ID has been having some issues. Im guessing only the number shows up for incoming calls, but at times I just get "Ringing" on the ID. It seems to be working fine...for now.
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(3-04-08)
First of all there is NO contract for this device. If you dont want it just stop using it unless you are in the 30-day trial period. If thats the case you have to send the device back. $46.90 for the MagicJack (w/ normal shipping) AND your first YEAR. $20/Yr thereafter. There are also 2 and 3 year options.
Setup was a SNAP. Took about a min or so for the device to install. The software is conveniently located on the MagicJack (MJ). You just plug it in and go. You register, select an area code and prefix, and Magic Jack will obtain the last 4 digits. Then BAM, you can start making phone calls. It was that easy. I believe you can add mulltiple locations for 911. Also, the device runs off your Desktop/Laptop power, which is no biggie for me.
My desktop is connected to the net using a wireless ethernet bridge. Call quality is crisp, clear, and loud so far with the test calls (to moviephone, voicemail). I have yet to have an actual conversation on it though as I just set it up. The features are pretty limited, but Im pretty sure they will expand them in the near future and besides, its $20!! You must go to a separate site to access some of your features (my.magicjack.com).
So far the features are:
-911
-Call forwarding
-Voicemail
-Caller ID- (only the number is displayed, no name, I hope they upgrade this)
-Do Not Disturb
-3 Way calling (the people must call you in order to start 3 way..thats what I read)
Their website has tech chat and an auto-fix feature, which basically runs through a checklist, while checking your MJ, internet, and so on. It looks for audio quality issues, echoing, etc. I really cannot expand into further detail as I just got it up and running. So far so good though.
Followup comments:  TimmyL
join:2008-03-29
Washington, DC
| MagicJack is a WINNER! Over the last few months I've been closely following the blogs and growing media coverage on the MagicJack, the coolest product to hit the marketplace in a very long time.
MagicJack is a USB phone jack that allows users to make FREE local and long distance phone calls anywhere in the US and Canada. Users can bring their MagicJack anywhere in the World and make FREE calls to the US and Canada, as well.
It's easy to use. After plugging the MagicJack into the USB port of your computer, the software that resides in the MagicJack self-loads, a brief & standard registration process is required (during which time you get to choose a telephone number for your MagicJack from a large inventory of area codes/numbers in most every major metro area)and when done you simply plug any standard corded, cordless or portable phone (headset or Bluetooth also works) into the MagicJack, pick-up the phone and dial-tone has been delivered! You're free to make FREE phone calls!
Initially, I was expecting to be unimpressed by the product since its extremely inexpensive -- man, was I wrong! ($40 to buy the MagicJack and then $20 per YEAR for additional years can not be beat)for the all the FREE local and long distance calls you can ever make in a year!! I started making calls immediately and I was AMAZED at the clarity and quality of the phone calls! Everyone I called agreed with me that the call quality was just as you'd expect from any landline. The MagicJack proves you do not ahve to sacrifice quality for cost!
But, let me take you back in time a bit since I did some research before I bought my MagicJack. Being a techno-savvy guy, I always research a product, its roots and its history before I give it a shot. After hearing about the product on a few techblog sites,I happened to catch the companies TV commercial recently. So, I began my own research.
Overall, the MagicJack has been hugely embraced by bloggers and the press alike. When visiting the company's website www.MagicJack.com I was quickly impressed by the Tier 1 media coverage the product has received. Excellent reviews by NY Times, Boston Globe, LA Times, LAPTOP magazine, CNBC and video clips of consumer reporters raving about the MagicJack on CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox News. Then I read about the founder of the company and inventor of the product, Dan Borislow. From what I've read, he has over 20 years experience in building succsessful long distance telephone companies. His previous company struck a deal with AOL and carried AOL long distance customers on their long distance network. He came up with this idea, spent his own money on R&D of the MagicJack and then constructed a nationwide telephone network that is one of the largest and newest telephone networks in the industry. The MagicJack is backed by its own telephone network and is operated by executives who have extensive experience in the telecommunications and internet business.
From what I have seen, the company just expanded it's online TechSupport platform to a 24/7 chat service. I can bet that part of the reason for the companies decision to rollout an online tech support system is due to the following:
1) The super ease-of-use does not require a lot of support;
and,
2) The low product price point is huge benefit to consumer but does not allow of large & very expensive live phone CS center.
Also, from all accounts, Dan Borislow is an inventor that wants to stay in touch with the people who use his product. In fact, the MagicJack website has a link to send Dan and email and he replies to every one!!
I'm a very happy MagicJack customer and I can't wait to watch this company soar!! | |
|  | nitzan
join:2008-02-27 | Re: MagicJack is a WINNER! Quick question:
Do you happen to work for MagicJack?
I mean, no offense, but your review sounds more like a press release. | |
| | 
sdh63
@sbcglobal.net
| OMG! "Press release"???? More like an infomercial! TimmyL may be an over-enthusiastic fan, but his post reads like a shill.
Particularly how everything is "As I understand it..." and other phrases that allow any claim without proof or accountability.
The way I hear it, MagicJack can actually teleport the user between countries, instantly and at no cost! I understand they've been doing this successfully for over 20 years, and when teleported you lose 5 pounds and your hair actually starts regrowing! I think I heard MagicJack can also deliver your favorite smoothies, right over the internet, in only seconds!
Give me a break. | |
| | |
Jay j
@rogers.com | j ok dont' go overboard and spam the board with nonsense, that's essentially what he's saying
employee = press release = infomercial = shill | |
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