swanboy
join:2001-01-22
Hollywood, FL
 ·Comcast
 ·magicjack.com
1 edit |  My review of MagicJack
Ordered: 07/18
Shipped: 07/19
Received: 07/23
It arrived in a surprisingly professional retail-looking package, complete with a hole at the top for hanging on retail shelves. Anyway, I unpacked it and made use of the convenient little USB extension cord included with it.
The most interesting part of setting it up is that fact that the device is ENTIRELY plug and play in XP. On my desktop, it took around 50 seconds to install the various drivers and auto-launch the setup & registration dialogs. I was too excited to take screen shots, I apologize.
The dialog requested my email address, my zip code, and the setup of a password. After that, it wanted my address of 911 registration. I live in South Florida, so when I was prompted to pick a number, I was disappointed to only see about 5 states offered as local numbers currently. But, I read up on the MJ literature, my area code (and most) should be available in the next 60 days, good. I settled for a number out of Detroit. (Meanwhile, I’m using a GrandCentral number to forward to my MJ line.) After I picked my phone number, the screen changed to a normal looking soft-phone (see screen shot.)
I grabbed a cordless phone, plugged it in, and was happy to hear a dial-tone. First call was flawless, perfect clarity. I totally didn’t expect incoming calls to work, but to my surprise my cordless rang when I dialed the Detroit phone number from my cell. Another perfect call. I bought the device purely out of curiosity, not a true solution to a new VoIP provider. Turns out… I seemingly found my solution.
Keep in mind a few things: Price: $40 So obviously, with this price does NOT come with all the fancy features and web portals. Honestly, I wouldn’t expect it.. it’s $40. For those who don’t know, there is $0 monthly charge, only a $19.95 annual fee. That is, frankly, laughable if they are truly going to offer what they say they are. Always the service is still beta, and just launched for purchase earlier this month. I expect more features to be introduced as the service matures. As I type this, I am on the phone using MagicJack. It’s quite impressiveMJ may not be for everyone, but I for one don’t mind having to have the thing plugged in my computer. I would expect MJ to support some adapters coming up in the future. . For those who recognize the swanboy name, you know I’m usually not one to jump up and down with rave reviews, but this is a industry first, revolutionary product in my opinion, and I wanted to get an organized review out there for those who were waiting. I say go for it.
I'd be happy to entertain any questions.
As a side note, I’m looking for a place to port my number for really cheap as a safe-haven for my SR number until MJ supports porting. | |
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 coaster
join:2007-07-13
New Port Richey, FL
·PHONE POWER
·Bright House
1 edit | Re: My review of MagicJack Excellent review. I wish I could write as well in so much detail. The professional packaging surprised me also. I figured it would of been sent in generic packaging with some photocopied instructions. It looks like it is going to be very soon when you see MagicJack in mass market retail. The downside was the bubble pack is very difficult to open. This product is just on the verge of being huge. | |
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Fast Lane
@cox.net | I just order it and what put me over the top is the web site as it's very professional plus the reviews and with my GranCentral number here I go. If this works as good as think I will send them a lot of customers. | |
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95559781
join:2007-07-21
4 edits | I decided to order a MagicJack on Thursday after receiving a recommendation from laserjobs.
I received it today. This is an incredible, brilliant device. It is going to be very very big.
I am using it with 3 Uniden cordless phones and it works perfectly. You have caller id, voice mail, call waiting, a soft phone and conference calling all for only $39.95 which includes 1 year of service. The second year of service is only $19.95.
In my opinion, the MagicJack is going to destroy ALL of the voip providers as you would have to be insane to go with Vonage, Packet8, ViaTalk....when you could just purchase a MagicJack.
Do yourself a favor and order the MagicJack. This thing is just amazing. Be sure to use the coupon code sunrocket for free shipping.
In addition, they thought of everything. They even include for free, an optional USB cable extension in case you have a tight space around your USB port. | |
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swanboy
join:2001-01-22
Hollywood, FL | Re: My review of MagicJack Good to see I'm not the only one that feels like this. | |
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buckeyered
Premium
join:2005-05-07
Hamilton, OH
·VoicePulse
·QuantumVoice
| I remember the sun shiner's saying the same thing about SR.
I hope it works well for everyone, I will wait and see if they keep adding to the infrastructure to support the growth and then I might get one as a backup or to use in the Philippines.
said by 95559781  :In my opinion, the MagicJack is going to destroy ALL of the voip providers as you would have to be insane to go with Vonage, Packet8, ViaTalk....when you could just purchase a MagicJack.
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'If you change phone numbers one more time I am leaving you.' - My wife | |
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Fast Lane
@cox.net
| Well Sunrocketers it looks like the dust is dieing down and Bad Bad TB finally has all the answers anyone would want on their web site now. It's been fun and I just ordered a MagicJack voip and a easy GrandCentral number so I'm set and will be changing over all business cards and ads to my new number (which is for life). If this works out I will port my number to MagicJack later this year and will have unlimited service for
19$ a year so thank you Sunrocket for tanking after all.
I thank all the people that posted their great reviews | |
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SMCinAZ
Premium
join:2000-11-29
Glendale, AZ
clubs: | MJ rocks!
Bye bye Via Talk.
It has some quirks like no name on caller id and the irritating ad/popup, but the quality of the calls in and out is very good. | |
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| jeffnyc
join:2004-06-09
New York, NY
2 edits | Re: My review of MagicJack I just ordered mine tonight. Thanks for the great review.
Trying to port my sr number to voicestick next2nothing which is currently configured on a pap2t adapter with their temp number. So far I'm happy, will be happier once my number ports and dont need another account but for this price I said WTF!
I would use this for all my outgoing calls of course since its free but I need to support Voicestick a bit so they dont deactivate me. But I guess if I am going through my prepaid mintutes too fast I can make outgoing calls on MJ. "MJ" makes me think of the chick from Spiderman 
Might also be an inexpensive way of easing my parents into voip. There somewhat technophobes... | |
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voipjunk
join:2004-08-07
Largo, FL
·RoadRunner Cable
| Great Swanboy..
I'm using MJ for over a week now and I will say I'm extremely satisfied with it. I tried it with multiple applications like during video processing, dvd burning, large file downloading/uploading, heavy file transfers on torrents and I have never faced any problem except for uploading of files/ torrents files. This may be due to limited bandwidth for my uploading (around 400). This looks like real alternative to any VOIP provider and the price is really great. | |
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Juegos1960
join:2007-07-17
| I've had my MJ for a few days now. Am using GC for local number until MJ has them out in my area. I do have to admit, I get kicks out calling friends and having my "Detroit" number show up. I has really surprised me! And I agree with the comment about the packaging being a little difficult to open. Other than that, it's great. I might get one for christmas for my friend and maybe a few others. I am also going to use one at work so I can have my own instant line that can call cellphones, etc. | |
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jrose78
join:2005-02-10
Bondsville, MA
1 edit | If someone could get this to work with the Linksys NSLU2 that would be awesome. I guess the only prob I could think of would be that you have to have a computer on all the time. Question for the users that have this, can you plug it into a wall phone jack and have it propogate to all the jacks in the house? Oh and is this device using the SIP protocal? | |
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B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28
2 edits | said by swanboy :For those who don’t know, there is $0 monthly charge, only a $19.95 annual fee. That is, frankly, laughable if they are truly going to offer what they say they are. But isn't that all that needs to be said? It's just not a workable business model, even less so than Sunrocket's was. These people aren't Google (who could afford to give it away for years if they chose) -- how can they continue to exist while giving away phone service?
The technology sounds OK -- an instant PBX of sorts via USB stick -- though you could accomplish the same thing any number of ways if you've already chosen to dedicate your PC to the task (Asterisk et al.) as you need to with MagicJack -- but it's the ongoing service that's got to be a primary concern!
EDIT: RockyBB, who knows this stuff intimately, has estimated elsewhere that providers pay about $.01 per minute for POTS calls. $19.95 per year means their "break even" would be an average customer use of less than 3 hours per month (assuming I just did the math correctly). If customers just use it when traveling, that might just work after all! But if people try to use it as home phone replacement....
Here's what their web site has to say about how they can afford it:
Question
How can you offer all this for such a low price?
Answers
The Inventor and CEO of the Company previously shattered the price barrier on consumer telephone services. They have now joined together to bring you the newest technology to enable you to get free telephone service. Uh, okay, if you say so....?
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In a realm outside causality and function | |
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| coaster
join:2007-07-13
New Port Richey, FL
·PHONE POWER
·Bright House
3 edits | Re: My review of MagicJack Why would any business state their business model on their website? Put it out for any other business to try to copy it. I don't think so.
Anyway, there is more involved if you have been following this for any length of time. YMax Communications is the CLEC that MagicJack operates on. This CLEC gets a fee anytime an incoming call is placed to their network. There is also advertising involved with their softphone software. Now you start to see more of the bigger picture. | |
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Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28 | Re: My review of MagicJack No, I haven't been following it at all. Thanks for the explanation!
People seem quite fond of it already.
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In a realm outside causality and function | |
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laserjobs
Premium
join:2004-05-02
Las Vegas, NV
·Cox HSI
| Re: My review of MagicJack B you might want to take a gander over at »forum.magicjack.com
11. Advertisements
You also understand and agree that use of the magicJackTM device and Software will include advertisements and that these advertisements are necessary for the magicJackTM device to work and for the service to be free in the first year of the agreement (and subsequent licenses to be at minimal cost). Advertisements will be served through the magicPageTM Software. magicPageTM Software attempts to serve local advertisements and classifieds using a completely automated process that enables us to effectively target dynamically changing content. Our computers may analyze the phone numbers you call in order to improve the relevance of the ads. We do not provide any personal information to our advertisers or third parties. magicJack has a policy of restricting advertisers that it believes are inappropriate, but it does not guarantee the accuracy or integrity of any advertisers and does not endorse any of the advertisements that may appear in connection with use of the magicJackTM device. You also understand and agree that use of the magicJackTM device and Software may include certain communications, such as service announcements, administrative messages and newsletters, and you will not be able to opt out of receiving them.
Think of targeted ads like Dominos or Pizza Hut
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Vote for Ron Paul in the Republican Primaries | |
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| | | | B
Premium,MVM
join:2000-10-28
| Re: My review of MagicJack Yeah. I was trying to bite my tongue above. Any mention of advertising and I'm running the other way.
This sounds eerily reminiscent of those "free" ISP services (dialup and even broadband) that depended on locked advertising bars across your screen. Even KMart ran one.
Only now, instead of tracking all your web site visits and targeting accordingly, they're tracking your personal phone calls!
Maybe that's worth it for some people, but I don't predict big things for this.
-- B
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In a realm outside causality and function | |
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swanboy
join:2001-01-22
Hollywood, FL
·Comcast
·magicjack.com
| Re: My review of MagicJack While I understand the stereotype here regarding ad-drive-revenue and free services, I really don't think all companies have to be crap just because they implement some kind of advertisement. The best example I can cite here is Google They have seamlessly integrated ad's, and look and their revenue and quality of service they offer. I'm not trying to say MJ is the next google by any means, I'm simply saying there is potential.
Personally, I have no problem with a few ad's on the side of my softphone window, if it comes to that.
-C | |
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gimme5
join:2002-12-23
Kissimmee, FL | Since you can't call international phone numbers with MJ, I have to stick with Lingo. | |
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gimme5
join:2002-12-23
Kissimmee, FL
| Re: My review of MagicJack Good point. I guess it's not a problem if you call abroad just a little bit.
I call France a lot and my wife calls Australia too, so Lingo's unlimited plan is still the way to go for me at this time.
Best of luck to everyone trying out MJ, I hope the service continues to be good. | |
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lurker
@minnotte.com | Re: My review of MagicJack I figure I don't have much to lose by trying MJ. I'll keep my home # for the next 6 months and if it doesn't work out I'll let my daughter have the number, and the grief. | |
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michiguide
join:2005-05-24
Sterling Heights, MI
| Got mine today and have been testing various features. It's going to be a great second phone, but I don't see myself using it for a main line just yet. The reviews above are accurate in terms of setup and call quality. But, being picky I just have to throw a small wet blanket on things (and yes I know this is a bargain basement deal, so I really shouldn't be expecting much):
- There doesn't appear to be a way to change the time stamp on the voicemail, which is off by 5 hours for me here in the Eastern time zone. There is no web interface for voicemail, so there isn't a way to turn it off or adjust the number of rings before it picks up. Also, I've noticed the outgoing message to callers often gets clipped at the beginning. All in all, the VM leaves a lot to be desired.
Next in line to be fixed would be outgoing caller ID, right now it shows "Southfield MI" for my Detroit number (actually it's a local exchange for Maybee, MI - located in Monroe County).
Also, there is no name with inbound caller ID and if you add names to the contact list in the softphone, they are only displayed on the computer - not on your phone handset.
My install had one hiccup - the sound driver for MagicJack sets itself as the default, requiring a manual fix in Windows Control Panel. Not a biggie and MagicJack has this info available on its web site.
All in all, this service shows a lot of promise -- and I'm more than happy with what it does for what I paid. | |
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mdgo
join:2007-07-18
Somerset, NJ
| I've been using Magicjack for three days now and yes the service does work, but apart from all the other complaints, I've also got to add that when a call is initiated or received, the soft phone application pops up and it can get annoying if you receive lots of calls during the time someone is trying to use the computer.
Now it can be avoided if you install MJ on a computer that no one hardly uses, but that may not be acceptable to everyone.
Other than that, I have not had any calls dropped. I called from Majicjack to my other VOIP line and the call quality was good.
Decent product overall and I plan on using it in my travels and not as a primary home phone device | |
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mack1951
Universal Soldier
join:2000-04-18
Bayonne, NJ | I ordered one on Monday waiting to get it. Has anyone tried to fax through it? My Laptop has a built in fax modem and using this as a portable fax would be just great.
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THE ROAD: Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9 | |
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| ScottSt4
join:2007-07-19
Clifton, VA | Re: My review of MagicJack Just received my MJ, outgoing very clear. Incoming not working yet, but I only registered 1 hour ago. I also see in the MJ forum though several people are having incoming issues. | |
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koam
Pink Pecker
Premium
join:2000-08-16
East Puddle
clubs: | Faxing over MagicJack is not working for me and they say they don't support it. | |
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no1g8r
join:2005-05-05
Lawrenceville, GA
1 edit | I've had one for a week now. I love it!
I bought it so that my 7yo daughter could have a phone to talk to her friends while they play games online, but it works so well that I'm planning to plug the rj11 plug from the MagicJack into the FXO port of my ATA and use it for all outbound calls. Inbound calls will come from the low-cost service that I port my number to, so I should end up with RIDICULOUSLY inexpensive outbound service, with inbound coming via SIP (no per minute charges there, either).
So for initial outlay of $39.95 for the MagicJack, $30 to port my number to a PAYG service, and $8-$10 per month (depending on whether I use Inphonix or Quantumvoice to port my number to), I'll have full inbound and outbound service using my old phone number.
That's tough to beat! | |
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See 15 replies to this post |
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digiblur
Got Sipura?
Premium
join:2002-06-03
Louisiana
| Definitely a big no in my book. I don't need something tied to the computer. Not to mention my computer is a little far from my VoIP panel. "Oh wait...I can't use the phone. My hard drive died." "Uhh...no AutoUpdate you can't reboot now! Can't you see I'm on the phone? Stupid windows!!"
No thanks...
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FWD#64466(6PM-11PM GMT-5)
»[Sipura] Make your Sipura Speak! - GetSipura Guide
And now for the PAP2-NA and unlocked PAP2's. | |
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pcmeet
Official Dta Guru
join:2003-09-15
Montgomery, AL
| Re: My review of MagicJack said by digiblur :Definitely a big no in my book. I don't need something tied to the computer. Not to mention my computer is a little far from my VoIP panel. "Oh wait...I can't use the phone. My hard drive died." "Uhh...no AutoUpdate you can't reboot now! Can't you see I'm on the phone? Stupid windows!!" No thanks... We need to find out why MJ wants a piece of your computer?? why not an ATA that connects to a router? I will pay for an ATA with MJ even if it is locked and will not take the USB or the softphone even it is for free! | |
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laserjobs
Premium
join:2004-05-02
Las Vegas, NV
·Cox HSI
| Re: My review of MagicJack
Magicjack Interface |
said by pcmeet :said by digiblur :Definitely a big no in my book. I don't need something tied to the computer. Not to mention my computer is a little far from my VoIP panel. "Oh wait...I can't use the phone. My hard drive died." "Uhh...no AutoUpdate you can't reboot now! Can't you see I'm on the phone? Stupid windows!!" No thanks... We need to find out why MJ wants a piece of your computer?? why not an ATA that connects to a router? I will pay for an ATA with MJ even if it is locked and will not take the USB or the softphone even it is for free! It is going to use the softphone interface to deliver targeted ads. See the left hand box.
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Vote for Ron Paul in the Republican Primaries | |
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SMCinAZ
Premium
join:2000-11-29
Glendale, AZ
clubs: | Works fine, whole house. | |
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| dssman
join:2003-10-17
| Re: My review of MagicJack Got my MagicJack in the mail today. Haven't used it much, but one thing I am having trouble with is inbound caller id. If I hook up one phone, I get the caller id. If I run it through the house tel wire to several phones, no caller id. What gives? | |
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| dssman
join:2003-10-17 | Re: My review of MagicJack Yeah, that works. But I like having a corded phone in the kitchen hooked up since in my house, I can never find the cordless handsets. They tend to all end up in my daughter's room or between the cushions in the couch. | |
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Granddaddy
Gramps
join:2003-09-24
Leesburg, FL
·Comcast
| Here's how I did it.
1st) I have had a Skype line for over a year so I bought a Philips wireless / PC-less phone for Skype.
2) I bought a MagicJack and connected it.
3) I use GrandCentral for my local number.
Now when anyone calls my local number (GC) while the computer is on....it rings my Skype phone and my MagicJack at the same time....just depends which phone I want to answer from. When I have the computers off....the Philips wireless Skype phone rings. Either way I get my calls through GrandCentral and everything is superb. It's not as difficult as it sounds and it also gives me two call out lines (one when the PC is off). BTW, I have the MagicJack connected to my home line with one base and 5 wireless phones.
Hey....works for me and with GC...no one is the wiser. | |
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