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Review by CromeDome05 See Profile

  • Location: Laurel, Prince Georges, MD, USA
  • Cost: $2 per month
  • Install: 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:

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.
----------------------------------
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.
----------------------------------
(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.

member for 19.9 years, 264 visits, last login: 3.6 years ago
updated 16 years ago

TimmyL9
join:2008-03-29
Washington, DC

TimmyL9

Member

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
Premium Member
join:2008-02-27

nitzan

Premium Member

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

sdh63 to TimmyL9

Anon

to TimmyL9
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.

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Woodstock, CT

ptrowski to TimmyL9

Premium Member

to TimmyL9
Hello MagicJack shill....

Jay j
@rogers.com

Jay j

Anon

j

ok dont' go overboard and spam the board with nonsense, that's essentially what he's saying

employee = press release = infomercial = shill

Review by holcombs60 See Profile

  • Location: Decatur, Morgan, AL, USA
  • Cost: $4 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 14 days
Easy to hookup. Just plug it in to USB and step through setup.
Limited phone numbers.
Neat gadget, but doubt it would replace your "main" landline.
Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
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Tech Support:
Value for money:

Don't use the service much, but it does allow me to have a phone with unlimited long distance in the United States (currently have unlimited local and in-state calling service). It has to have a computer to function (unlike other VoIP that connect into a router). If you have a computer on 24/7, it could be a great savings in phone costs.

member for 21.9 years, 7 visits, last login: 13.4 years ago
lodged 16 years ago







Review by AlsknSnoBals See Profile

  • Location: Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, USA
  • Cost: $1 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 5 days
Cheap, reliable phone calls using easily installed equipment.
Website and Tech Support Options
MagicJack is just what it says. Decent VOIP we can all afford.
Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:

I watched this product since I first encountered the early rumblings back in 2007 and considered for a while purchasing one of my own. After my own VOIP telco got to me good on overage charges, I decided to give the product a try. I figured I didn't have anything but $40 to lose and everything to gain. From order to my mail box was five days, which is pretty decent considering I live in Alaska. Installation was a breeze and the quality was, at first, questionable. I later discovered the issue wasn't with the magicjack itself, but my broadband connection. After I resolved a few issues of my own, the jack works perfectly just as advertised. Now, if they will only do a little to improve their customer support or at least give us the ability to self serve a few help files, the product will be perfect. Now, I can call all of my family and friends without having to count the minutes or wait until everyone is in bed for just $20 a year.

I've passed the one month mark and it's getting even better than when I started. No issues or complaints. Even my call quality has gone up. Now, if I can get them to open up their Oklahoma area codes, I'll be a happy camper.

member for 16.8 years, 219 visits, last login: 16 years ago
updated 16 years ago


asker
@rr.com

asker

Anon

What fixes were required for your phone?

My longest uninterrupted call is 11 minutes. Then the software locks up. Seems to be Computer Associates firewall related.

AlsknSnoBals
join:2007-05-17
Anchorage, AK

AlsknSnoBals

Member

Re: What fixes were required for your phone?

I had issues with Comodo as well. It seems their firewall is still in some sort of development state. Once I went back to basics and cleaned out my computer, I've had mostly clear calls (Internet noise is a problem on cable when all my neighbors decide to download porn all at once) and no more disconnect issues.

Review by cosmicsurfer See Profile

  • Location: Arlington, Tarrant, TX, USA
  • Cost: $3 per month
  • Install: about 5 days
Best value for the money of any voip.
Not the best tech support.
I would recommend to anyone.
Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:

Considered TW phone and Vonage but for they could not compete with MJ on price. They install process was very simple. Have not had very many bad experiences with MJ, there were some service outages but I don't rely on this service alone for my communications.

member for 18.4 years, 100 visits, last login: 2.5 years ago
lodged 16.1 years ago







Review by pacfan3 See Profile

  • Location: Simi Valley, Ventura, CA, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
Very cheap at $20 dollars per year
Not sure how long they will stay in business?
Very good product, will expect to see a lot of competitors emerge in 2008.
Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
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Value for money:

I purchased MagicJack a few weeks ago and connected it to my XP laptop. It took about 5 minutes to update and configure (805 area code). I connected a wired telephone and began to make phone calls. I called family and friends in Nevada, Wisconsin and Canada. The one call to Canada paid for the device alone.

It worked flawlessly. I setup the voicemail which emails me when someone leaves a message and attaches a wave file so I can listen immediately. I have since ordered two more for my family, so they can call me using MagicJack, which will save them money on these long distance phone calls.

We are thinking of dropping our long distance plan with AT&T and just keep the basic phone service needed for DSL. We would then use our cell phones for weekend and evening long distance phone calls and the MagicJack for any daytime phone calls. Not to mention having the ability to call Canada at anytime, which we do not have with the cell phones.

member for 21.3 years, 6 visits, last login: 16.2 years ago
lodged 16.2 years ago


Leslie10303
@bellsouth.net

Leslie10303

Anon

Dry line

There is something called a dry-line that cuts the phone line out completely.
You would still get your DSL but through a non working line (can't make or receive calls). It is like maybe $10 or so.

Review by flipper913 See Profile

  • Location: Tiger, Rabun, GA, USA
  • Cost: $3 per month
  • Install: about 5 days
Cheap and it works
website doesn't offer much support
Great idea for a second line and it makes free LD
Web-site:
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You can't beat the price. I found out about it on this site and thought I'd give it a try. When it got here it only took a couple of minutes and I was making phone calls. Some people I called have other VOIP and were surprised at the clarity from this little box. I suggest if you need a second line in your home, to get one of these. One of the people I talked to, ordered 2 of them already..What a great idea

member for 22.5 years, 3437 visits, last login: 10.3 years ago
updated 16.3 years ago


Review by DixieWins See Profile

  • Location: Palm Desert, Riverside, CA, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified.
Cost & ease of setup
no tech support, service outages, background noise to those called
work out the kinks and then the value might be there

I've used MagicJack for several months. When it works, it's fine. But there are frequent outages. There's NO support. Many folks I call via MagicJack complain of hearing beeps and background noise (which I do not hear).

Customer / tech support needs to be addressed .... like get some.

Will the post-beta version be significantly improved ? Sure hope so.

It's wait-and-see for me.

member for 23.3 years, 3727 visits, last login: 5.2 years ago
lodged 16.3 years ago


Review by huckleberry30 See Profile

  • Location: Clarksville, Montgomery, TN, USA
  • Cost: $1 per month
  • Install: about 3 days
$20 a year!!! No Contract!!! Better sound quality than POTS!!! Easy setup!!! Low cost of equipment!!! Good features!!!
Still in BETA 4.0 Poorly designed web site tech support only avalible through web site( no phone???) Lack of area codes
Awsome company that come next year will be in every house.
Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:

This is an outstanding product with a solid financial background so no worrying about them just disappearing. They r still having some technical problems right now but they r still in BETA. They have a good business model were they are working on the major logistic problems before worrying about minor problems. If u r lucky enough 2 b able to get a dry DSL then this is 4 u. I didn't give a perfect 4 reliability because I have read some posts from other people who have had problems. Not sure if they have a bad computer/internet connection or if its on Magicjacks side but no problems here in Tenn. The biggest problem 4 me was a lack of a local area code. Ended up having to get Grandcentral so the school could contact me if my daughter was sick. Everyone else??? I can't think of one person I know who doesn't have unlimited long distance now a days. If you want a cheap phone with great features and call quality this is 4 u.

member for 16.5 years, 67 visits, last login: 11 years ago
updated 16.3 years ago


Review by amourai See Profile

  • Location: Miami Beach, Miami-Dade, FL, USA
  • Cost: $4 per month (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 5 days
Mini-ATA for travel, flat rate $40 yearly
No tech support, no int'l calling, need PC running, few area codes, mediocre audio
Granted this is beta version and cheap, but very limited feature set with mediocre quality audio.
Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:

MagicJack is a service with a 2.5" x 1.5" ATA with a USB plug and an RJ-11 jack. In this beta phase, there is a great deal of unlimited N. America calls for $40 a year. At that price, you get what you pay for:

Good:
1. Dirt cheap calling for 1 year
2. A very transportable solution for VOIP
3. User-friendly installation for giving to non-techky family; the VOIP software is embedded in the USB device so there's nothing to download or configure for initial installation
4. Seems to be a reliable server setup.

To be Improved
1. Very limited choice of area codes (supposed to expand in October)
2. Non-existent tech support other than what's on the website
3. No online account or voicemail access.
4. No overseas calling (supposed to be offered in October)
5. Call quality is mediocre
6. The USB device can lock up due to conflicts with other devices such as USB audio, necessitating booting up with the MagicJack connected (as opposed to plugging it in after bootup).

Negative
1. This being a USB-based ATA, you must have a PC running
2. Banners on the program interface.

member for 20.7 years, 66 visits, last login: 12.9 years ago
updated 16.5 years ago


Dan Borislow
@comcast.net

Dan Borislow

Anon

A Big week ahead

Thank you for posting on Magicjack.

let me make a few corrections and give some updates.

The service is now $20 a year.

We are in BETA and have limited the number of Area Codes.This is changing everyday and we will have about 75% of country before October.We will offer all our BETA people the ability to change numbers and as a gift,will try and give out vanity numbers to these loyal BETA customers if they change their number.

Their is Tech support and we frequently have our reps call customers and respond to emails.

Their will be online account and voicemail access before October.

Their will be International at very low rates within about 2 weeks.Send your friend a Jack and save even more money.

Their is a major update of the softphone available today,and I have never heard better voice quality,biased or not.

Please try magicfix on the magicjack.com site,which is about the coolest program I have ever been involved with.It fixes audio issues as you describe here and will optimize some other things.Try plugging directly into computer and/or make sure extension cable is snug.

The Banners are all self Help items and are very useful.

So what I am really saying here,is that we held a lot of things until we are out of BETA.You will be even more impressed soon.Their is also one more huge quality advance,which will take place in about three weeks,when the bulk of our calls stay on our own Network.You will not need anything additonal to get these coming improvements.\

Thanks for being a BETA customer.

Dan Borislow Inventor

michellebazi

Anon

Re: A Big week ahead

Dan,

Are there any franchise opportunities available. How will people in the local market buy them. Are you looking for resellers?

h4x0r3d
Premium Member
join:2003-04-13
Oxford, MS

1 edit

h4x0r3d

Premium Member

Re: A Big week ahead

.

Review by snailspace See Profile

  • Location: Montevallo, Shelby, AL, USA
  • Cost Contract price not specified. (12 month contract)
  • Install: about 4 days
Very easy to install.
None
Low price...High quality....
Web-site:
Ease of Installation:
Call Quality:
Reliability:
Tech Support:
Value for money:

I've had mine for about two weeks. Had a "all circuits busy" once for about two hours. Other than that it has worked very well. Remember......It's still in BETA! There are going to be hick-ups!!

Any computer with Windows XP or Vista operating system; (Mac/Apple will be available any day.)

One of the following: broadband, high-speed internet, cable internet, DSL, WiFi or WiMax.

Your present corded or cordless telephone.

magicIn – each magicJack includes a free phone number to receive calls from anyone in the world.
magicOut – free outbound local and long distance calls to any number in US.
free International Calling – when traveling, take the magicJack with you to any country including: Canada, Mexico, UK, China, Italy, Israel, etc. and call anyone in the USA for free. (subject to local laws.)
Free Follow Me – never miss a call again! Enable this feature to send your incoming calls to your magicJack AND to other phone lines, such as your cell and/or office phone all at the same time.

member for 23.3 years, 6544 visits, last login: a few hours ago
updated 16.5 years ago