PX Eliezer
Premium
join:2008-08-09
New Jersey
 ·Callcentric
·Optimum Voice
·callwithus
·voip.ms
| reply to whoneedsmj
Re: Whither Magicjack?
said by whoneedsmj :
mj will stay around, but it will be for poor people who can't afford anything better. Sort of like someone who has a 12-inch b&w tv she bought from the Salvation Army store because she wants to watch tv but can't afford anything better.
But MJ needs a computer and a broadband internet connection! So there is an inherent contradiction. |
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whoneedsmj
@blixtvik.se | Good point, so I may be spouting rubbish.
But I have the feeling that people have rising expectations with anything, and will eventually want more from a voip service than mj provides and be willing to pay for it. |
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amigo_boy
join:2005-07-22
Tempe, AZ
 ·Cox HSI
·magicjack.com
| said by whoneedsmj :
But I have the feeling that people have rising expectations with anything, and will eventually want more from a voip service than mj provides and be willing to pay for it.
I agree with you. MJ had a very loyal following when it was first released. Dan has done a lot to tell that *asset* that he doesn't want it. One of the first things he did was kick the user support forum off the MJ web site.
He's lied to his users a number of times, with planned improvements just 2-3 months away (for years).
Personally, I haven't seen a single improvement in MJ since it was in "beta for sale" mode two years ago. The quality and reliability seem the same. No new features. (In fact, fewer features when you consider "do not disturb" was removed without any hint why.).
Many speculated Dan was just trying to build out a concept (with a large customer base) so he could sell it. Google and Walmart were often named as potential buyers. With Google launching "Google Voice," that appears to be one buyer gone (and, turned a significant competitor).
I don't have a lot of enthusiasm about MJ's future. It was (not so much "is" anymore) a great idea. The problem was that it was Dan's idea. He seems to be a poor businessman. He didn't capitalize on his almost cult-like user base. He alienated them instead of listening to them and *using* them as free resources (for suggestions, testing, forum support, etc.). He's done things that even the most couch-jumping, Tom Cruise-like fanatic has had to admit was inexcusable.
And like you said, there are a lot of people who, when it comes down to the difference between $2 and $7 a month, it's not worth the drama that comes with MJ. There's a certain point where a race to the bottom isn't a big selling point. I often use the example of the 50-cent salad where the chef may spit in it. It's a terrific bargain for the price. But, most people I know will opt for the $2 salad.
Mark |
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me1212
join:2008-11-20
Pleasant Hill, MO
·VOIPo
| reply to PX Eliezer
IDK about all ISPs, but with some you can get 768 for $20 and an old pc from a friend/family member will work if need be, or maybe even a new one a good sale if you can afford $500. I know a lot of people cannot afford $20 a month, but if they are paying $25 for phone now they could drop it get internet and MJ and save like $3 a month. I know not much but for some $3($36 a year) may be more than it seems. |
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pandora
Premium
join:2001-06-01
Outland
·ooma
·Future Nine Corpor..
·Comcast
|  reply to amigo_boy
I seriously considered MagicJack a bit over a year ago. At the time it didn't support number porting, and required a Windows machine to be on 24/7 (or for a customer to perform a hack and violate TOS to get service on an ATA).
Since last year the only real change seems to have been a MagicJack assault on Magic hacks (ATA hacks). Other than that it appears to be the same MagicJack it was a year ago.
Some people don't need number porting, don't mind a PC on 24/7, and don't mind adware (some such as myself would call it spyware). There is no doubt MagicJack is inexpensive, but IMO it is not, never was, and my guess is never will be a full service VOIP company.
The concept of MagicJack is IMO a good one. Too many people pay too much for basic landline phone services. MagicJack offers one of the lowest cost alternatives.
I don't consider Google Voice as yet competing with MagicJack as there is no desire by Google to provide full VOIP service and dial tone via ATA at this time. Google could benefit by purchasing a proprietary solution like MagicJack IMO to complement Google Voice. Time will tell.
For $20 a year, for some people, MagicJack is undoubtedly a great alternative to anything else. Each of us has to evaluate VOIP alternatives with our own needs and personality.
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"People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use." |
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