I had never heard of magic jack, but some googling found out some info on them. They are a florida based telephone company that is sponsoring the st pete bowl. They sell a device that plugs to your computer and phone and gives unlimited local telephone calls and free long distance. Lots of free features included and all for $39.95 the first year, and $19.95 a year after that. Sounds pretty cheap, and i am considering getting some kind of land line again, since my cell phone (and just about everyone else's phones) gets spotty service inside my house and even in my neighborhood. I was wondering if anyone has this magic jack and does it work?
One thing for sure, apparently, it does not work in all area codes.
I too would love to hear some info on this, I know they have a ?tower? in Miami and i'm wondering if it will pick up in Gitmo, Cuba
My father in law has it and loves it. I currently have Vonage but I am going to try Magic Jack for a couple of days and if it works fine, i'm switching.
It's VOIP regardless if it's comcast, vonage or Magic Jack...it's still going to work the same.
The only thing I do NOT like about magic jack is that it will have to be connected to a PC (or laptop) that is on all the time. I have a desktop that stays on all the time, but it isn't near a phone jack so i'll have to move it.
rohorific Wrote:My father in law has it and loves it. I currently have Vonage but I am going to try Magic Jack for a couple of days and if it works fine, i'm switching.
It's VOIP regardless if it's comcast, vonage or Magic Jack...it's still going to work the same.
The only thing I do NOT like about magic jack is that it will have to be connected to a PC (or laptop) that is on all the time. I have a desktop that stays on all the time, but it isn't near a phone jack so i'll have to move it.
why would you have to move your PC near a phone jack?
I would want to light up my entire house w/ magic jack. If you disconnect Ma-Bell (or whoever it is these days) from the phone switch outside, and then plug VOIP to any phone jack, then every phone jack in the house is hot.
rohorific Wrote:I would want to light up my entire house w/ magic jack. If you disconnect Ma-Bell (or whoever it is these days) from the phone switch outside, and then plug VOIP to any phone jack, then every phone jack in the house is hot.
they work in "reverse"
I did not know that
I haven't seen much good reviews about it. It seems like if it works for you, you are good to go. If it doesn't then you are out of luck because they have very poor customer support. As part of their EULA they load you up with Ads which has some very questionable privacy issues:
Quote:"You also understand and agree that use of the magicJack device and Software will include advertisements and that these advertisements are necessary for the magicJack device to work ... Our computers may analyze the phone numbers you call in order to improve the relevance of the ads"
Putting it on a laptop is not a good idea because most laptops will go into sleep mode and the device won't work.
I tried it once when I was 14 and went blind for a week.
My plan....
Go with the MagicJack over the Comcast version I have now.
My computer is broadband and stays on all the time now as it is. It is a desktop.
So, I use the USB port, hook up the MagicJack through the computer, and plug in the cordless phone base with 4 receivers that I have now plugged into the wall. It should work seamlessly as it does now. Comcast rigged up something that feeds all the old phone jacks in the house to the broadband router / cable system. Since every phone in my house is wireless through the base station, I can just plug the base into the MagicJack and I should be good to go.
BinghamptonNed Wrote:rohorific Wrote:I would want to light up my entire house w/ magic jack. If you disconnect Ma-Bell (or whoever it is these days) from the phone switch outside, and then plug VOIP to any phone jack, then every phone jack in the house is hot.
they work in "reverse"
I did not know that
Kind of like if you hook up a generator to a plug in your house if the elctricity goes out. The juice goes through your house and all the receptacles are hot........including the lineman working on the problem down the street. lol
mapdude Wrote:My plan....
Go with the MagicJack over the Comcast version I have now.
My computer is broadband and stays on all the time now as it is. It is a desktop.
So, I use the USB port, hook up the MagicJack through the computer, and plug in the cordless phone base with 4 receivers that I have now plugged into the wall. It should work seamlessly as it does now. Comcast rigged up something that feeds all the old phone jacks in the house to the broadband router / cable system. Since every phone in my house is wireless through the base station, I can just plug the base into the MagicJack and I should be good to go.
We're basically in the same boat. I have a 2 cordless phone deal going. I don't talk on the phone a lot, but it's wayyyyyyyyyyyyy cheaper than ANY phone service. From time to time i unplg it temporarily because i turn on my cordless phone, dial a number & still hear the dial tone. BTW, i don't know if it serves the purpose for those who have it but i have to use the area code before dialing the number. As long as it continues to work, it'll be MUCH CHEAPER than going with a $75-125 MONTHLY PHONE BULL....... and yes i did say BULL because that's what these companies are about.
tiger_paul2000 Wrote:I tried it once when I was 14 and went blind for a week.
Your problem is that you stopped.
I have it and use it for all my long distance - the savings pays for my cable internet. I don't even notice the ads.
The only problem I have is that I have some memory issues with my computer right now from another issue that I have not finished dealing with. So when my computer is running slow, I have to reboot to be heard. But when it's running slow I want to reboot anyway.
If your computer works well and you have broadband, I would recommend it (also if they have your area code and it will be your only phone, in order to not be a burden on people calling you. they don't have my area code, but I still have a local phone paid by my employer, so it doesn't matter).
use Skype. They have a number of phones that don't require a PC, and have adapaters you can get for your existing phones.
it's free to call other skype users and cheap for skype-to-phone.
http://www.skype.com
I bought it and paid for express delivery and a bunch of bells and whistles. It was supposed to be delivered within 2 business days. I tried getting instant live help (that they boast about) on the website and nobody got back to me. I called the number that was listed on the credit card purchase a week later and it didn't work.
I FINALLY got through to someone after a month and they told me to check my local post office for it. I told them that that wasn't my responsibility since I paid for express shipping; I paid for a courier to deliver it, not regular mail; and besides, I hadn't received a notice telling me that anyone had tried to deliver it.
I got the credit card charge reversed. I will only buy it if I can find it in an actual store where if it doesn't work I can get a refund for it. The concept is amazing IF IT WORKS. Most of the reviews that I've read on various websites from actual users have been very negative.
Still can't believe the bowl in sponsored by an infomercial, but their plan to sponsor it seems to have paid off from reading this thread.
Yes, we own a magic jack. It works VERY well. No complaints here.
rohorific Wrote:My father in law has it and loves it. I currently have Vonage but I am going to try Magic Jack for a couple of days and if it works fine, i'm switching.
It's VOIP regardless if it's comcast, vonage or Magic Jack...it's still going to work the same.
The only thing I do NOT like about magic jack is that it will have to be connected to a PC (or laptop) that is on all the time. I have a desktop that stays on all the time, but it isn't near a phone jack so i'll have to move it.
You do not need to be near a phone jack. Magic Jack doesn't use the phone jack at all. You hook the phone up directly to the magic jack device, which is connected to your PC.