So internet land, How are you tonight? Me, I am chillin like a villain. Perfect way to end a Monday, at least in the world of me. My consumer review of the day is going to be on the Magic Jack. What is the Magic Jack you ask? Well it is a nifty little doo-hicky my NCO got my as an early Christmas present after I told him my current phone bill for the month was $270.00. Why is my phone bill that high you ask. Well, that is an easy answer. I just recently got stationed overseas in Naples, Italy. It is a small, little tiny military world here. All my friends and my husbands friends and family live in various places in the US and my so-called family live in a little place called Greenock, Scotland. Enough about me, lets talk about the Magic Jack, shall we?
The Magic Jack Review
By: Christina Paul
What is the Magic Jack:
It is a small, portable VoIP type programmed USB ported device. It plugs into most models of regular everyday home phones models that in turn are able to plug into your standard RJ-11 phone jack (and you have the option to use it through your computer with a headset or bluetooth). You DO need to have an internet connection available and a computer in order to make the calls. The Magic Jack allows you to call anywhere in the United States from just about anywhere in the world for FREE. You can make international calls for a small fee; but I will get into to the fees later.
How does the Magic Jack to work?
That is an easy question it works in the same way all the other VoIP (which means voice over internet protocol) companies out there do like Vonage, Skype, google talk, etc.
What is VoIP?
It is the techno-savvy-ish way to conjure up some signals (think audio type) that are turned into data that is processed over the internet. Which means, you can make free phone calls in several different ways but there are three general types: ATA, IP type phones, and the standard computer-to-computer method. The ATA (analog telephone adaptor) type of VoIP allows you to adapt your existing standard phone or your computer to make phone calls through the internet (like the Magic Jack). IP phones are basically phones that have the software programmed into it the that allows you to transmit your calls using over a network (i.e. internet) in order to make your phone calls (like the Linksys WIP300 wireless IP). Computer-to-Computer is well, you guessed it, computer to computer type calls (like Skype or Instant Messengers).
How do you use the Magic Jack?
You activate the Magic Jacks software by plugging it into a USB port on your computer. It will activate its integrated software automatically (it will also light up blue). Plug your regular existing home phone into the Magic Jack. If it's your first time using your magic jack you'll have to register it. It will give you the option of where you would like to have your magic jack phone number based or if you would like a personalized number; along with numerous opportunities for pay-for upgrades. It is your choice to decline those offers or pay for them. After your finished with the registration process then you simply wait a few minutes while the program updates. After it is ready to go you can call the United States using your phone to dial or the key pad and talk away.
Some of the Magic Jack Features:
- It works with a MAC (and on) any windows based computer.
- You can choose to make up a personalized phone number (fee based option), eventually transfer your existing phone number (fee based option), or you can let magic jack pick a phone number for you in the area code you choose (free option).
- There is also a mobile based VoIP option now.
- It can be used anywhere that you have a computer and an internet connection.
- You use it to make or receive calls from you existing standard phone or through your computer (if you have a way to hear and speak)
- Magic Jack's VoIP calling network
- Simple and automatic installation of software
- Free, live customer care
- Cheap international calling rates
- Call anywhere in the US for free even 1-800 numbers (that probably only matters if you live oversea's like me and have to call places of businesses like your bank)
- An internal phonebook and phone log
- Conference Calling
- Free directory assistance
- Caller ID, Call waiting, Voicemail, and Call forwarding
- Emergency calls to the area where you're at (see their site for disclaimers)
Some Cons of the Magic Jack:
- Your computer must be turned on, the internet connection available, and the magic jack must be plugged into your computer and your phone plugged into the magic jack for the magic jack to actually work
- Sometimes you have to fiddle with it a bit to ensure proper connectivity
- Doesn't yet work with satellite internet service providers
- When you send or receive a phone call through the magic jack the key pad will pop up and you have to stop what you're doing to minimize it
- You do have to pay fees to get some of the cooler features
What I have to say about the Magic Jack:
As I said earlier my NCO gifted me the magic jack so mine was free. It costs around $25.00 at our NEX here on the support site so prices might vary depending on location. Right now magic jack is doing a 30 day risk free trial you can find more information on that and more information about the Magic Jack at their site:
http://www.magicjack.com and/or http://www.magictalk.com
For anyone living on the Naples, Italy support site this is a definite must have. My phone bill went from $270.00 to $48.00. Even if you don't here in Naples, Italy but you live somewhere else in the world and call the US frequently you have to buy one of these. You won't regret it. I use Skype too but it is much more convenient for me to make calls to people like my husband's grandparents and my Mom who don't even own a computer (or own a computer and have no intention of learning how to use the computer). That is one of the biggest pro's about the magic jack because it is a ATA type VoIP - only I must have it. No one else has to have the same kind of equipment or network or software for me to receive calls from them or for me to call them. I haven't yet had to pay anything for my usage of the magic jack. I opted out of everything but the free service. I can call and stay on hold making business related type calls without footing the huge bill at the end of the month. I pug it into my lap top and it works with my wi-fi. I took it with me along with my magic jack on a trip to another country outside of Italy; paid for the hotels internet service in my hotel room and plugged their phone into my magic jack and made calls. Simple, easy and affordable. An added bonus is that it doesn't cut off or drop your call like Skype. I have recommended the magic jack to other people overseas because I was so happy with it. I am not really sure if it is a must have if you're in the US though because you still have to pay to make international phone calls but if you pay for internet and wouldn't mind having a free home phone then it's worth checking out. You can check the rates against your phone company. Another bonus is I get to have a US phone number that friends and family can call that they don't have to pay the international rates to chat with me or members of my household. The only things that I don't like about the magic jack is that I must have my compter on to use, it takes a few minutes to start-up, the stupid keypad pops up whenever the magic jack is sending or receiving phone calls, and sometimes I have to unplug it and plug it back into the computer a couple of time to make it work right. I also have my DSN line so people from here can get a hold of me that way too. I hope my review helps you out a little bit. If not then you could always try it yourself. Or not.
Alrighty then. Good night internet land.
XoXoXo
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