VOIP etc > Voice Over IP - VOIP > MagicJack > My review of MagicJack

reply to 36693325

Re: My review of MagicJack

reply to ZOverLord

reply to 36693325
"If they had offered a SkypeJack with the same features and at the same price point as MagicJack there is absolutely no question in my mind that I would have purchased the SkypeJack over the MagicJack"

I feel the same way. If I had an easy to install and use device that would let me plug in a phone and do skype calls, whether skype-to-skype (preferably, because of the sound quality), or skype-to-pstn, I would probably be using skype now instead of my sip ATA.

Borislov deserves congratulations for taking several ordinary components - a usb adapter, a softphone, and a voip service, and combining them into an easy-to-use does it all gizmo.

Let's hope you are right and the rest of the pack, especially skype, will follow suit.

reply to swanboy
What's the procedure for running skype as a service or is that the default configuration for skype?

If you want a phone get a magicjack.

If you want computer to computer skype to skype international calling get skype.

If you live in the USA get a magicjack.

If you live in Canada get a magicjack.

If your sister lives in Bangladesh either send her a magicjack or if the only persons she wants to call in the USA has skype tell her to get skype.

As someone noted voip providers that lease their network lines and gateways from phone companies can go out of business (i.e. Sunrocket, et al). One of the great things for both voice quality and the profit model and stability of magicjack is that magicjack has its own nationwide network of local phone company exchanges (i.e. their own nationwide network of CLECs [Competitive Local Exchange Carriers) all up and properly licensed in the various states. Therefore, when someone not on a magicjack phone calls a magicjack number magicjack gets paid a fee by the phone company that the caller uses (and vice versa). This both adds a layer of revenue that other voip providers do not have and never will have, and it helps guarantee the viability of magicjack at its low prices.

I agree with the poster that stated skype should come out with a skypejack and at a similar price point to the magicjack if they want to compete effectively with magicjack. Since skype doesn't own a network of local phone companies (unlike magicjack), they may not be able to afford to do this.

Gary

reply to swanboy
Here is how you can run magicjack as a service. Its the same procedure as one would use to run any executable as a service. You set it up using a couple of tools found in the XP Support Tools package.

Here are the detailed instructions from a post on the original official MagicJack forum:

Ok! Got everything to work now. Thank you to everyone who has collaborated on this project. Now magicjack runs as a service, is completely invisible, starts up automatically on boot, and I don't need fast-user switching enabled, thus it takes up no memory caused by virtual desktop programs or autosizer, and has 0 focus problems. Here is my current step by step to get this setup ->

1. Download rktools.exe from here -> www dot microsoft dot com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9d467a69-57ff-4ae7-96ee-b18c4790cffd&displaylang=en

2. Extract it.

3. Create a user account named "magicjack", temporarily assign admin privilege. Also create a password for this account.

4. Login as “magicjack”, and install the magicjack under this profile.

5. Install the magicjack as a service, using the tutorial here ->

support dot microsoft dot com/kb/137890

After you create the service, if you export the registry value from regedt32.exe, it should look similar to this ->

Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\magicJack]
"Type"=dword:00000010
"Start"=dword:00000002
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
"ImagePath"=hex(2):63,00,3a,00,5c,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,\
20,00,46,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,73,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,\
00,73,00,20,00,52,00,65,00,73,00,6f,00,75,00,72,00,63,00,65,00,20,00,4b,00,\
69,00,74,00,73,00,5c,00,54,00,6f,00,6f,00,6c,00,73,00,5c,00,73,00,72,00,76,\
00,61,00,6e,00,79,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,00,00
"DisplayName"="magicJack"
"ObjectName"=".\\magicjack"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\magicJack\Enum]
"Count"=dword:00000001
"NextInstance"=dword:00000001
"0"="Root\\LEGACY_LINE1\\0000"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\magicJack\Parameters]
"Application"="c:\\Documents and Settings\\magicjack\\Application Data\\mjusbsp\\magicjackloader.exe"

Note: the ImagePath string value is really something like "c:\Program Files\Windows Resource Kits\Tools\srvany.exe"

6. Delete the two cdloader entries for MagicJack in the registry. Using regedt32.exe, logging in from both of your user accounts, delete this entry from ->

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

7. Change the magicjack user account to be a user account instead of an admin account.

8. Enjoy!

Notes: Now, when I did this the magicjack service still wouldn't start, so I went to Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Services->MagicJack and tried to start the service from there, but I got this error ->

"Could not start the service on Local Computer. Error 1069: The service
did not start due to a logon failure"

So, I went to the log on tab (still in the magic jack service tab) and put in the password, and everything works beautifully!

How to make Skype a System service, in this example it uses a Dlink DPH-50U which can be purchased for about $19.95 these days from places like newegg after rebate. They also can be found in stock in some Radio Shacks, Staples, Best Buy ("they usually are more expensive at Best Buy").

Spec »www.dlink.com/products/?pid=466

Interesting note, this device supports the ability to answer both your PSTN line, Skype calls, make PSTN calls, Make Skype calls, call your PSTN line, then make a Skype call, call your Skype name, then make a PSTN call, does call forwarding, call recording. Acts as an asnwering machine for your PSTN line and Skype calls as well, provides call forwarding. From any of your current phones, can drive as many as 5 phones.

All configurable, kind of a Super Magicjack

As you can see, Magicjack is NOT a new idea, it's just smaller, because it has less features than the Dlink DPH-50U and similar devices.

Complete instructions here to make the DPH-50U and a copy of Skype a system service:

»forum.skype.com/viewtopic.php?p=···0#258520

I wrote the above instructions, and run two of these adapters on two of my 5 computers, and have for more than two years with no problems. One is a 600 Mhz system, XP, SP2, with 256 Meg ram, runs fine even while making Skype calls, and doing other things on the system as well. Including even while the current Windows user is also making a call.

It should be noted that this also allows the current Windows user ("If Any") to be running their own copy of Skype, logged onto their Skype name, so that they can be making calls as well at the same time a call is in progress on the DPH-50U the current windows user could/can be using a headset and making/receiving PSTN calls or Skype to Skype or Skype to MySpaceIM calls. Great for families, where you want one phones always available 24/7/365 with a shared computer so that you never miss inbound calls, or can't make outbound calls, while allowing the current Windows users to do the same using their Skype name as well.

Skype Remote Usage Example: Instructions for MyToGo for Skype, works with any devices like Blackberry, Cell Phones, Landlines, and is free.

»www.testing.onlytherightanswers.···e&sid=58

I am the author of the MyToGo for Skype program.
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Interesting device, but you still have to pay for a phone line plus pay for skype pro, skype in, the ATA/USB/RJ11 D-Link adapter, and a headset mic/skype phone to get all the features of a magicjack. Total cost about $150.00 to $200.00 upfront plus continuing monthly cost of the POTS telephone line at about $35 to $70 per month. Compared to magicjack at $39.99 for the entire first year and $19.99 for susbsequent years. Not such a great deal.

Then there is the whole problem that you are using skype and multiple phone numbers, no CLEC network behind the skype service like with MagicJack, and a clunky kind of setup. I just want one phone number to give out to people. I don't want a business card with so many numbers and SIP addresses on it that it wraps around to the back of the card.

I just want a phone for people to call me on and for me to call them on. I don't want to take them or myself on a tech junket through VOIP land in order to call me. Just a phone and a single 10 digit phone number to give out.

Gary

The PSTN line is optional, the jack is there on the device in case you have a PSTN line, so that you can use your phones for both Skype and PSTN calls, get it?

Again, I listed the prices, do the math.

Without the telephone number and just unlimited calling for 1 year in the U.S and Canada the Skype solutionj is about $3.00 U.S. less than Magicjack and that still gives you $12.00 U.S. credit for International calls, or to buy a telephone number for $24.00 U.S. which would be $12.00 U.S. when using the credit given from purchasing the Unlimited calling in the U.S. and Canada for 1 year.

So if you use that credit ("As I said here many times already") that's $12.00 U.S. for a telephone number for 1 year, and unlike MagicJack in some cases, with a number in your local area. Now, with a telephone number combined with unlimited callinf, then Skype is about $8.00 U.S. more expensive than Magic Jack for a year, but as I stated before there are many more benefits you get with Skype that Magicjack does not support or offer.

Now, where do you get $150.00 - $200 LOL

SKYPE

$36.00 U.S. - Unlimited Calling U.S. and Canada 1 Year
$12.00 U.S. - LOCAL telephone number 1 Year $12.00 credit
------
$48.00 U.S. Unlimited calling and LOCAL telephone number

$20.00 U.S. DPH-50U

$68.00 U.S. Total Worse Case, you may not want/need some of these options. Pick what you want. You could use the MyToGo solution for free as well if you did not need a ATA to Phone device like the DPH-50U.

WHAT! no CLEC network, what in the world are you talking about, multiple numbers, Please I beg you again READ about SkypeIn for Skype STOP making this stuff up, Geeze!

I have laid prices out for your 3 different times, right here, and you can't even get that right and your prices even get higher every time you post, lol.

Face the facts Gary, Magicjack is a very expensive PSTN Phone, because it is NOT portable, that's all it can do is call other telephone numbers, it can't do chat or anything else really.

There is no FREE calling, without the other party in another country having a Magicjack.

Your ("Singular") solution, Gary, is a $400-$1,200 count the computer that is required to interface with Magicjack, in ALL cases. It has NO portability of any kind, cannot be in two different places at the same time, or using two different types of devices, or even 2 computers at the same time, because that would require 2 Magicjacks.

At least Skype allows you to be logged on to many computers at the same time, and anywhere in the world, as the same Skype ID. it has IP phones, many Cell Phones can use Skype, blackberry type devices can use Skype, even while computers are logged on that same Skype Id.

Skype has remote options, it has addtional services, like chat, like 24+ free conferencing, worldwide free calling, Public chats, Skypecasts.

Your solution is a very very isolated, computer only tehered, non portable and expensive hard-wired POTS/PSTN only solution.

NOT drinking your Kool-Aid Gary.
--
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reply to swanboy
You say $68.00 compared to $39.99 and then 19.99 for the magicjack, but your $68.00 is based on buying some of the equipment in used condition and doesn't include the cost of a headset/mic or skype phone.

Both skype and magicjack require computers to be used and on in order to make and receive calls on an unrestricted basis. Your attempts at confusing this issue aren't persuasive.

I've already stated if your sister lives in Bangladesh you may want to consider skype or buy her a magicjack and mail it to her.

If you live in the USA or Canada and want a PHONE not an internet chat service but a PHONE then magicjack is definitely the way to go over skype.

If I want to do chat or IM, I'll use any one of several possible IM chat clients. They handle all the chat, video chat, and video conferencing you want. They handle it for free and don't lock me in to an inferior PHONE solution.

You keep downplaying the CLEC advantage of magicjack. I suspect that just like with your attempts to claim that skype runs as a service and magicjack doesn't that you know the importance of having an in-house nationwide network of local phone exchanges supporting magicjack versus leased from outside parties model that skype and other voip providers use (can you say Sunrocket run out of business because the phone companies raised their line access rental fees). The CLEC advantage is also in voice quality.

If I want an IM client I'll get an IM client. If I want a phone. I want a phone not an IM Client.

I beginning to believe you make money off of helping companies set up skype phone systems and service and maintenance support after that, and its this vested interest that has you writing skype programs and trying to undercut what magicjack offers over skype.

Magicjack is wired to a computer just like skype (if you want all the services). Magicjack is portable and can be taken and used with any XP or Vista based computer. Mac support is now in beta. Linux should follow shortly after that.

Gary

reply to swanboy
BTW, you keep incorrectly stating magicjack is PSTN, and for someone who initially claimed they just wanted the truth/facts out its a bit confusing that you would so often repeat this bit of misinformation.

Magicjack is standard SIP based VOIP. It may appear to be PSTN because of its seamless integration with PSTN services so that unlimited calling out and calling in to/from any device or computer than can call a simple 10 digit phone number is so much better than what skype has to offer.

I'll admit it. Magicjack gives you a PHONE. If you want IM chat and you don't want to use any of the many other free and superior IM Chat solutions out there then get skype or skypepro or skypeIM or whatever option it is you have to pay extra for to get that service.

Magicjack comes with all available services in one device + software for one single price of $19.99 for the unlimited phone service per year and $19.99 once in the first year for the magicjack ATA to USB adapter and software.

Gary

reply to JYLD
You say:

"I beginning to believe you make money off of helping companies set up skype phone systems and service and maintenance support after that, and its this vested interest that has you writing skype programs and trying to undercut what magicjack offers over skype."

Not true Gary, but I don't slam Magicjack saying it is this or that or make things up about services I don't know anything about. So, I am defending Skype because you are not telling the TRUTH about it, in fact, if you made factual statements about it, you would hear very little from me. You started slamming Skype saying things that were and are NOT true. I even stated that in my prior posts, that was the reason I responded, and is the reason why I respond when you keep making this stuff up.

I am sure you or others would do the same if I started saying things that were NOT true about Magicjack. Many people read these posts, the more accurate the facts are the better it is for everyone who maybe thinking about changing or getting new VoIP services. Nothing bad about defending the truth.

DSLREPORTS has always been known to put the facts on the table, many people come here to watch us argue, to get those facts It is a very respected place to gain insight.

You Say:

"Both skype and magicjack require computers to be used and on in order to make and receive calls on an unrestricted basis. Your attempts at confusing this issue aren't persuasive."

Not true Gary. I can use cell phones, and blackberry like devices and never need a computer with Skype, PLEASE stop making this stuff up about Skype, and read about it, please. Use any search engine and you can see that almost any cell phone and/or blackberry device can use Skype and without a computer as well. There are even IP phones for Skype that do not require a computer as well.

There is NO requirement to purchase any ATA device to use Skype, that is optional.

You say:

"If you live in the USA or Canada and want a PHONE not an internet chat service but a PHONE then magicjack is definitely the way to go over skype."

Gary, read up on Skype, please.....SkypeIn is a PSTN phone number just as much as Magicjack is, that's not magical about Magicjack

You Say:

"If I want to do chat or IM, I'll use any one of several possible IM chat clients. They handle all the chat, video chat, and video conferencing you want. They handle it for free and don't lock me in to an inferior PHONE solution."

Gary, do you know what links are, please support these statements of "inferior PHONE solution"?

You say:

"You keep downplaying the CLEC advantage of magicjack."

Gary, is Skype a CLEC?

You say:

"Magicjack is wired to a computer just like skype (if you want all the services). Magicjack is portable and can be taken and used with any XP or Vista based computer. Mac support is now in beta. Linux should follow shortly after that."

Gary, my definition of portable means usable from your pocket, how big are your pockets Gary?

Gary, I will say this one last time "Skype does NOT require a computer to use"

Did, you see that Gary?

Hate to break the bad news to you Gary but....You say...

"It may appear to be PSTN"

Gary, if other PSTN phones/devices can call your telephone number and you answer that call on Magicjack or any other service, it is called a PSTN call, by any standards, including SIP, or any other form of VoIP, or Telephony.

defintion PSTN:

»www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/PSTN.html

defintion CLEC:

»www.techweb.com/encyclopedia/def···d=775822
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I am thinking of getting something for a relative who needs computer-related things to be kept simple. Getting a dph-50u and a skypeout account for her might be better than magicjack, given the problems mj is having and the fact that skype has a good track record of reliability.

For example, here is one man's tests:

»unofficialmagicjack.forum2u.org/···247.html

When I call out using my ATA, I almost never have a problem, so it may be something in magicjack's software.

I never had a problem with skype either, when I used it with a headset and mike to make skype-skype calls.

reply to swanboy
Is skype a CLEC. No it isn't. Neither does skype own its own nationwide network of CLECs. In order to be a CLEC one must: have their own telephone switch(s), satisfy state regulations, pay significant filing fees, get a license approved from the state, and also make its services available to outside customers. Once one is a licensed CLEC then various rights and responsibilities accrue to the organization vis a vis other phone companies. A CLEC can't be shut out of the phone network via loss of contracts or price increases from other phone companies like Sunrocket for example.

So no SKYPE is not a CLEC.

If I have my blackberry or cell phone with me I don't need skype or my magicjack. If you want to argue skype is better for some guy with such a lousy cell phone service that they need to make skype calls from their cell phone, then hey you can have that niche.

If you want a phone get a magicjack.

If you want a trick pony for a lot more money get skype.

Magicjack service has been excellent for me with POTS line voice quality about 90 to 95 percent of the time.

I'm not buying your spiel about just wanting to get the facts out, when you continuously make misleading statements about magicjack (like it can't be run as a service while bragging about skype's ability to run as a service yet to run skype as a service you need extra equipment and a POTS phone line while magicjack can run as a service without any extra hardware and using the same software techniques as can be used to run any software as a service).

With 50,000 magicjack beta users there are going to be a few people who had problems. They are the ones who post messages. People without problems don't go to the boards to post, in general. I'm sure there are just as many people with skype problems. Probably more.

If you want a phone get a magicjack.

If you want IM chat that you pay for get skype.

Pretty simple to me.

Gary

Well, at least Gary, people get to see the facts now, that was the entire point. So, you can continue to lie about what Skype is, or can't do, how much this or that Skype service costs. Maybe someday you will take the time to learn what Skype is or can do before you make stuff up.

People now at least see the facts, not fiction, your slams and quotes of Skype Prices, call quality, Skypes inability to be used without computers, all this time, have had no supported links, that support your claims as true.

Good luck with Magicjack, it's a good deal NOW, and NO I won't buy your Magicjack on eBay next year, if they go BK.

Yes I will help you then if you ask how to set up the Dlink DPH-50U to use on your computer with Skype and that will help you get outside, away from your computer, more often by knowing you can make and receive Skype calls without a USB connection. From Cell phones and other devices, while standing under the sun Without a WiFi connection and a laptop.

Will even help you set up MyToGo for Skype so you can get some sun next summer and talk to other people in other countries and make some new international friends, without burning holes in your pockets.

They do have USB extender cables you know that could at least get to reach ("Maybe 2 or 3 of them connected together") out the window to a lawn chair this summer to that Magicjack connector connected to your computer inside the house, and Laptop batteries are falling quickly to less than $200.00 U.S. So, there is hope.

Happy New Year, and I hope you can get a local number soon with Magicjack.

Sad Gary, you are giving up the sun, or the ability to answer the phone and make calls, over a losy 8 bucks a year Gary, you are giving up the ability to make calls and answer the phone outside, without a laptop and a WiFi connection, for less than 67 cents a month.


--
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reply to swanboy
.
Since skype has no captive nationwide CLEC network that guarantees access to the phone system (i.e. like Sunrocket) it is far more likely that skype will go out of business before Magicjack. Perhaps skype will be saved by its use of all the connected skype computers to create a usenet like network for phone service (and we all know how well usenet ended up doing in the long run).

Yes I'm giving up using joe and bill's and ken's computers to make my phone calls. I want a phone not a hodge podge of connected skype user computers to rely upon when making my calls.

Skype is more expensive now and will only get even more expensive because magicjack price drops in half in subsequent years, and its just a matter of time before the phone companies start putting the squeeze on skype for more and more fees and poof another Sunrocket. Won't happen to magicjack because they are their own phone company.

With magicjack I use a real phone. It can be a wireless phone with no cables whatsoever. With skype you have to worry about the length of your headset and mic cords, need three hands for carrying them around or buy an expensive skype phone, but even that requires a usb connection to your computer. For $30 you can buy a skype ata to usb connector but then that almost doubles the cost of skype for the first year, and that's not even counting the cost of buying the headset and mic/or skype phone for another $20 to $80 depending on what you want to tether to your computer.

Maybe magicjack will buy skype if they can figure out how to make it profitable. They couldn't figure out how to make a sunrocket acquistion profitable so they weren't able to rescue sunrocket. At least magicjack is cheap enough that the sunrocket people were able to change to a viable business model for not too much money.

Maybe skype users will change to a viable business model when skype goes belly up because they have no guaranteed access to the phone system (unlike magicjack).

Gary

Gary,

You say: "is far more likely that Skype will go out of business before Magicjack."

I know that eBay just wrote down the value of Skype, but do you know what the current value of Skype is and how long it has been around when compared to Magicjack?

By the way, who filled your head with all this wrong information about Skype? I am curious. I have asked for links many times when you make these false statements, and you never provide them, does that mean you make all this stuff up on your own?

Anyway, the truth is out there about Skype, you can find it with the help of medication or reading, but it is there.

P.S. Gary, please call your "real" phone company, this guy has a MagicJack, lives in Indiana, and can't get a number closer than...well read:

"I have a Magicjack and it works as good as the regular telephone service. The only downside for me is the fact that there are no numbers for my city and state. I live in Indiana but I have a Atlanta , Ga number assigned to my phone.

I can make outgoing calls but incoming would be long distance for the caller."

From : »Re: Anyone Use MagicJack?

Gary, should I tell them they need to move, that normal people only live in Atlanta, and all the other cities are not "real" cities? or tell them that's because GA is a CLEC state?
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reply to swanboy
You should tell him to get a free grand central number that forwards to his magicjack number. You should tell him that Indiana area codes are coming or have already arrived and he just needs to log in to the magicjack web portal and change the area code for his number for free.

GrandCentral is a great service. I use it myself so the number I give out can ring my home, my magicjack line, and/or my cell phone as I wish.

Is skype owned by ebay? Will ebay put it up for sale on ebay you think?

Why did ebay write down skype's value since according to you its cheap and offers everything including the kitchen sink?

Magicjack's value will continue to rise because magicjack is its own phone company and has guaranteed access to the phone networks, unlike skype and sunrocket.

Gary

My phone company can beat up both your phone companies.