Read on to find out. MagicJack is a voice over internet protocol VoIP provider that has been around since Basically, it provides the same services as your home phone, but instead of an actual phone line, it uses your internet connection instead.
The service has moved beyond the simple home phone alternative it started as, allowing you to make calls on the road, and even ring calls to your home phone on your smartphone. The company has also shed the shady image it initially had, trading dubious marketing tactics for an increasingly solid product. A standard phone jack on the other side of the device lets you plug in the phone of your choice and make calls. It was a simple solution, but required you to leave your computer on all day and all night, assuming you wanted to be able to receive calls at any time.
In , the company debuted the MagicJack Plus. This could still be plugged into your computer, but also included an Ethernet connection, allowing it to plug directly into your cable modem or router, meaning you no longer had to leave a computer running at all times to make and receive calls.
The MagicJack Plus also boasted drastically improved call quality, partially because it could be directly connected to a router, but also because of improved hardware inside. Free caller ID, call waiting, voicemail, conference calling, directory assistant, and free calls between MacicJack users are all included, as well as free local and long-distance calling.
This app is designed to support calls and text messages texts limited to any U. It can also work with features on your phone like your contact list, and supports voicemail as well. This comes with two additional features. First, you get access to expert support staff that are available via phone calls something lower-tier users do not get.
Second, you get discounts for any new devices if you need to replace your MagicJack device in the future. But they're arguably not the same as having a home phone line.
The original MagicJack required you to leave your computer on all the time to make and receive calls, and didn't allow you to use your existing phone number. This was all fixed with the newer MagicJack Plus, but there are still some notable limitations. Depending upon your wants and needs, they could range from minor annoyances to deal breakers.
As with all Internet-based services, if the Internet or power goes out, you will not be able to make or receive calls. Twisted-pair copper phone lines carry power to phones, but the newer coaxial cable and fiber optic lines by which many of us are getting Internet service these days do not.
There are some VoIP services that provide optional battery backups that last a few hours, but MagicJack is not among them. Regarding E service, when you call with MagicJack, your address can't be automatically detected. You have to register your home address with MagicJack in order for emergency services to properly locate you, and it won't work if you are using the device in other locations. You will also need to make sure the address is updated if you move.
There also might be issues with getting phone numbers in some area codes. If yours isn't available, you can pick a phone number with a different area code, and switch if and when yours becomes available, although this likely comes at a monetary price.
Also, if you are using your MagicJack connected to your computer, it could be felled by any number of computer issues, which might be something to consider when choosing the type of device or service you pick. The company hasn't been controversy free.
Dan Borislow, founder of MagicJack, insulted netTALK's quality and the viability of the company in a interview, and then sued them for patent infringement in , although the case was dismissed.
The company also sued Web site Boing Boing for defamation over an April article that brought up some aspects of MagicJack's end-user agreement that it found objectionable. These issues included the fact that MagicJack reserves the right to analyze the numbers you call for advertising purposes and the stipulation that any legal claims against MagicJack had to be handled by binding arbitration, as well as the user agreement not being clearly presented on its Web site or at purchase or installation time.
The article also took issue with the lack of an uninstaller and some aspects of the company Web site. The software can be more easily uninstalled now, and some changes have been made to the Web site. The terms of service still include their right to analyze the phone numbers you call and your registration information to target relevant ads. MagicJack itself was charged by the Florida Attorney General over accusations that it charged customer debit cards during a day free trial period, had limitations it wasn't disclosing properly and that there were issues with its handling of customer complaints.
The company settled the dispute by paying a fine without admitting to any wrongdoing and resolved the complaints. It also made some changes to its business practices. As of fall , the MagicJack FAQ specifies that credit cards will not be charged during the trial period, although a hold may be placed, and you will be charged if you buy more than two MagicJacks or purchase extra years of service. If you use a debit, bank or check card, you will be charged immediately, but you will receive a refund if you return your MagicJack before the day trial period ends.
Early MagicJack suffered from the hour computer connection requirement and the inability to port numbers, but these concerns are moot with MagicJack Plus. Some reviews of the original MagicJack stated that the quality wasn't quite as good as landline, but was as good as or better than cellular. There can still be distortion or delay caused by things like interference from software or computer issues, other devices sharing your bandwidth or a weak Internet connection, but the newer MagicJack Plus purportedly results in better call quality, even on par with landline service.
One repeated complaint is customer service, especially the fact that it's computer-based only, with no possibility of calling a support line. MagicJack's customer support is all via their online documentation and a live Web chat feature. You reportedly have to step through a few levels in the knowledge base to get to the Web chat, but at that point you are at least dealing with a real person.
This is apparently fine for simple problems, but some find chat a difficult way to resolve more technically involved issues. There are also complaints about the paucity of documentation included with the device and all the up-selling during setup. You have to be sure to opt out of all the extras you don't want in order to avoid additional fees. There are also lots of good reviews, and even the reviews with some negatives or reservations tend to concede that the device works fairly well, and inexpensively, once you work out any kinks.
MagicJack is available through the company's Web site as well as a wide variety of retailers. If you order from the manufacturer's site, the day free trial applies starting from the date you place the order. If you buy it elsewhere, you have to stick to the retailer's return policy.
According to the company, they have sold more than 11 million of the devices since the launch of the product. Perhaps surprisingly, the product attracts a large number of retirees. It's also popular with people overseas who want to call the U. And, of course, it appeals to lots of people looking to reduce costs in tough economic times.
With so many people ditching their landlines for cell phones or VoIP, MagicJack is one of several viable options for having cheap in-home phone service. And even if you have another phone service, MagicJack could provide a handy extra line, long-distance savings or a way to preserve precious mobile minutes. It's definitely worth serious consideration when taking a trip abroad -- to locations with broadband, of course.
VoIP isn't so much the wave of the future as the wave of the present. Lots of people are jumping over to it, and even phone companies are talking about abandoning their twisted-pair copper networks in favor of coax and fiber and such. I'm only a step or two away from this sort of phone replacement. I've been on VoIP through my cable company for a while, and often seriously consider ditching it in favor of my cell phone.
But complacency, a package deal and fear of being without at least some sort of in-home dialing has made me keep home phone service. MagicJack sounds like an intriguing cable phone replacement, though. Ignoring additional fees, its annual charge is around what I pay per month.
Plus, since my mobile is always by my side, I really only use the home phone to receive telemarketing calls. And my cable phone will go out when the power dies, anyway. Perhaps one of these days I'll succumb to the day trial and give it a try. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Telephone Technology. Posted by: Gary 19 Sep I work at a museum that had MJ.
More often than not, I could hear callers but callers could not hear me, and visa versa. Additionally, the current time transmitted to CID is "eastern" time. I called MJ customer service to see how to change it to my time zone, I was told it could not be done.
Posted by: Diane AR 19 Sep I had Magic Jack for many years and never any problem. Then I went with Nettalk. If I remember correctly, it was because there was a special? I don't remember. Now I use Google Voice, which I hear that may be on the way out. So I downloaded Smart on my cell. So, in case Google ends the Voice, and I need my phone for an emergency, all my medical info and address will be on the screen at when they answer.
Haven't had a landline for over 20 years and have never missed it or needed it. I am hoping Google doesn't stop support for Voice, but I'm sure something else will pop up that is as convenient. Posted by: top squirrel 19 Sep What do you plug it into? I have DSL internet through the phone company.
The line from their box ends in a router from which an ethernet connection goes to the computer and a phone plug gives phone service. The only USB jacks I have are fed ultimately by the land line. Any ideas on how I can stop paying the phone company for phone service, keep the internet and just use MJ? Posted by: Paul 20 Sep Posted by: Stanley J. Solomon 21 Sep Since these are the big national suppliers,I expect this would be true all over the US. Posted by: Barry S 23 Sep I have been using MagicJack since in Alberta, Canada.
I have had no problems whatsoever with service or quality from day one. I enjoy the savings especially when talking to relatives in Canada and the United States with no long distance charges. As a retired person the savings are most appreciated. Always enjoy your articles Bob. Posted by: Glenn Heard 26 Sep I had a land line for years but finally just let it go. The only reason I miss the land line is for my Fax machine.
Can I use MJ to fax? Posted by: GregC 31 Dec The MajicJack device has three connections. The first will go to your phone and the second, an ethernet jack will go to the router. A few modern computers maintain USB power even if switched off, so that could save you using a separate power supply. To connect the ethernet "permanently" you would need another device to share this connection. Either of these devices also requires a separate AC power supply and that is what I don't like.
I hate adding another vampire power device to the hoard I already have. If you go for the old router you could easily add wireless capability to your household. Thrift store typically abound in old routers. Posted by: mikevw 07 Feb Magicjack does not have a local telephone number available in my town so my neighbour next door needs to pay long distance to call me.
Any idea how I can get a local telephone number for my Magicjack? Thanks for the help. Posted by: Llong 16 Mar Can you plug MJ to same router that your landline phone plug-in? And you use your MJ parallel with your landline phone? Posted by: Mark Cox 23 Mar Hi, i have a MajicJack connection and and using an app in my cell phone, i tried a lot to get it fixed with my drandsteam phone instrument, but am unable to do that, am ready to buy another phone instrument, but an not sure how to configure it.
Am having a tough time using Majicjack in my cell phone. Majicjack is good if you use it with a phone device.
Can anybody suggest me what can be done with regards to this. Please advise. Posted by: Izzy Goodman 09 Jul
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