From my TED Gift Bag
One of the fun parts about any TED conference is going through all the items in gift bag to see what cool new products may be hidden amongst the books and CD's. I usually take a week or so to sort through everything, but today something in the TED07 bag caught my eye. It is called magicJack (sic). The packaging states "Never Pay a Phone Bill Again." The concept is quite simple, you plug the magicJack into a USB connector, and then a regular analog phone into the magicJack and then voila, you have (what I believe is) a VOIP phone, with a boat-load of features (ie follow-me service, voicemail, call waiting, call forwarding and international calling). The device comes with a year of free service, and at the end of the year you can renew for another year for $19.95.
Have not hooked it up (mainly because it is not Mac compatible), but sent an email to the company to find out if a Mac version is in the works. Very cool and simple design that can get anyone up and using VOIP, fast.
Can you use a phone jack splitter for the fax and landline? si haven't gotten my Magic Jack yet but, this will be the first thing I try because I need my fax.
Posted by: Eileen Hall | February 19, 2008 at 06:40 PM
I saw the commerical and decided to give it a try. It worked so well- I bought a second one for my fax. No problems, but wish it had more and easier to access features. I love it.
jerry@jdspecialtyclocks.com
Posted by: Jerry DeMas | February 19, 2008 at 08:08 AM
I use Magic Jack regularly. It works exactly like a regular phone and there is no "funny stuff" associated with it. You get everything a normal phone can do, plus no monthly bills. It costs about $20 a year for unlimited phone calls in North America. It is awesome and everyone should own one.
Posted by: stan davis | February 08, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Just so everyone knows, MagicJack now has Mac software and it works. (But you need to install it on a Windows machine first.)
I'm loving the magicjack for our second line at home!
Posted by: Jon Boyd | February 07, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Posted 2.1.08
Well, I bought a magicjack and installed it. After a few "burps," I used the optimize button. That was over a month ago. I have canceled my Vonage account and Virgin account and now use magicjack and my new T-Mobile phone. I estimate that I am now going to save about $800 to $900 a year.
Once in awhile I get a "Max Headroom" effect on the magicjack but I just redial and it is perfect.
Why anyone with a high-speed connection to the 'Net doesn't use magicjack is a mystery to me.
I have a Verizon air card and by using my in-ear headset, can make phone calls while traveling. CAUTION: Never make a phone call while driving, even with a mobile phone, however magicjack could make a call while mobile via my Verizon air card.
I just hope that it succeeds for years to come, I like being to call without having to worry about LD prices.
Posted by: Beverly Kurtin | February 01, 2008 at 01:33 PM
This product is still in beta.
Use with caution. Not for folks who need phone service for local calls. Product lacks area codes in some of the major metro areas.
Basically LIMITED area codes and phone numbers available. No direct contact with company reps. ALl tech done via email or chat. Which is rarely supportive. Software cannot be UNinstalled. It seems like a good product but should be another year before they get out the bugs and meet the needs of the masses....
Posted by: Tayla L | January 04, 2008 at 05:20 PM
I've had my magicjack for one week. It is great! Plugged it in to the back usb port on my pc and worked great. It wouldn't work using the front usb port.
Fast communication and clear speech. Once in awhile a mild blip ( very rare), but speech is nice and loud and clear.
Posted by: I. Kipp | January 03, 2008 at 09:21 AM
I bought this MagicJack about one
week ago, and I cant stil make it work. mystem EXplorer HI speed Internet. I plug it in but nothing
Happens. Can you help me.
Posted by: Rene Magnan | January 03, 2008 at 07:02 AM
Hi. This is great - if you only have one phone. What about your extension phone? Would I need a computer for every extension phone in my house? I see it works for the cordless phone, so I guess my hardwired phone would go into the adapter attached to the computer and then my cordless would go upstairs?
Thanks,
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy | December 20, 2007 at 03:34 PM
I think mplat's equipment is specific to Skype (an eBay company?) whereas the MagicJack is comaptible with any phone. Is that correct?
Posted by: Andrew | October 07, 2007 at 08:45 AM
It is very similar device I saw it, I use google to search, someone call flashphone and come from mplat.com , and almost one years before.
I guess, MagicJack don't have core technology.
Posted by: stanley | July 10, 2007 at 07:09 PM