I had heard about Magic Jack internet phone service and consumer guru Clark Howard www.clarkhoward.com has given it rave reviews.
He has used it for years and loves the $19.95 per YEAR price for unlimited local and long distance calls.
Clark does not accept payment for his endorsements. So, if he says that it’s great, it’s because he believes it.
I have purchased it and have been using it for 6 months and I love it !! It’s great for me since I needed an additional line. And it might be great if you do not have a landline and would like the security of having one in case you misplace your cell phone, don’t want to pay for unlimited cell minutes, or have other issues. It’s also portable – take it with you . Read the details on their website www.magicjack.com
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2010/february/shopping/infomercial-products/magic-jack/infomercial-products-magic-jack.htm
The claim
The claim
Magic Jack, a VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) phone device and service, "makes your monthly phone bill disappear," an online ad says. "Save hundreds, even thousands, of dollars" and get "no more poor reception." You plug Magic Jack into a computer's USB port, plug the line cord of your own phone into the other end of the USB adapter, and Magic Jack uses the Internet to make and receive calls. You need broadband Internet access, and the computer has to be on for you to make or receive a call. If it's off, messages go to voice mail. The charge: $39.95 for the device includes one year of local and long distance calling; then $19.95 per year. Details are at www.magicjack.com .
The check
One of our electronics experts made dozens of calls over several days, sometimes while downloading files or playing online computer games.
Bottom line
Shazam! Calls connected, and voice quality was clear, though not as clear as on a good corded phone on a regular line. When our tester downloaded a big file while playing an online game and making a call, there was some interference. But if you can live with a few limitations, it's a great deal. Vonage VoIP service can cost $216 a year; Skype, $95, and you must buy a Skype phone. Bottom line
Read more:
Need a second phone line? How about a dedicated business line for your home-based enterprise? A cheap way to make calls while traveling the world? Look no further than the MagicJack, quite possibly the coolest gizmo of 2007.
All you do is plug the little guy into a USB port. It automatically installs its own software: a nifty little dialer/address-book app. (During the initial setup, you get to choose your own local number for inbound calls.) Now just plug any corded or cordless handset into the MagicJack's standard RJ-11 jack and presto, you've got a dial tone. And voice mail. And three-way calling, caller ID, etc. You can also use a headset if you're traveling and don't want to schlep that bulky old Princess phone.
The MagicJack costs $40, which includes a year's worth of unlimited local and long-distance calls. (Free international calls to other MagicJack users, too.) After that, you'll pay just $20 per year. I've tried this thing, and let me tell you: It rocks. It's way easier to use than Skype, way cheaper than Vonage, and way cool to boot.
It uses your computer and Internet service so you can make local and long distance calls in the U.S. and Canada with no monthly bills. First you connect any household phone to magicJack. Then you plug magicJack into an available USB port on your computer, using the supplied extension cord if needed. Finally you wait for the completion screen to appear to use your phone like you always have.
· Requires a computer that operates on Windows XP or Vista or 7, or a Macintosh computer that has an Intel processor, plus one of the following: Broadband, High-Speed Internet, Cable Internet, DSL, Wi-Fi, Wireless, WiMax, or FiOS.
· Provides voicemail, directory assistance, a phone number, Caller ID, Call Waiting, their own conference calling (will not work with FreeConferenceCall), and call forwarding at no extra charge
· First year of service is included in $39.95 purchase
· An additional year of service is $19.95
· An additional year of service is $19.95
The Magic Jack is being hailed as the next great invention in the world of electronics. Named the 2009 product of the year by TMC Communications Solutions, the Magic Jack offers an alternative to traditional phone service by enabling phones to utilize an Internet connection to make phone calls. The Magic Jack allows free calls to the United States and Canada from anywhere in the world. Using the Magic Jack is simple, and can save hundreds of dollars a year on phone service.
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
- Computer with a USB port
- High-speed Internet connection
- Magic Jack
- Telephone and phone cable
1. Install a Magic Jack to your computer. You will only need to install the Magic Jack software once on your computer, although updates may become necessary. Once you have installed the software, you will be able to "plug and call" using Magic Jack.
2. Plug the Magic Jack into a computer USB port. Once connected, your computer should recognize the device as ready to use. If not, follow the on-screen instructions to activate the device.
3. Plug your landline phone into a nearby electrical outlet, and run the phone cable from the back of the telephone base to the Magic Jack phone cable port, which will be plugged into your USB port. You can use a one-piece phone or a wireless handset, just as you would with a traditional phone line connection. The only difference with Magic Jack is the phone is run through an Internet connection rather than a phone line.
4.Dial any number in the United States or Canada and receive free calling from anywhere in the world. This feature is especially nice for far-away college students and military personnel stationed overseas. This works because each Magic Jack is registered with its own United States area code number. If you have a family member overseas, send them the Magic Jack and, as long as they have a high-speed Internet connection, they will be able to call your number in the United States for free.
Read more: How to Make Calls With Magic Jack | eHow.com
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You may want to know about Google Voice also
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Clark Howard is a nationally syndicated consumer advocate who advises consumers how to save more, spend less and avoid getting ripped off. His radio show is heard every day on more than 200 radio stations throughout North America. His HLN show runs every Saturday and Sunday at 6am, noon and 4pm ET, and he is a frequent guest on many other talk, variety and news programs.
