| magicJack: PC to Phone Jack | 
| Brand: Magic Jack
Category: CE
List Price: $39.99
Buy New: $32.75
as of 9/10/2010 01:01 EDT details
You Save: $7.24 (18%)
New (16) Used (1) from $29.99
Seller: Third Eye Technology
Rating:  194 reviews
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5 x 2
MPN: A921
Model: magicJack
UPC: 895034001006
EAN: 0895034001006
ASIN: B0011UXSHK
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Local/long distance/international calling | | • | magicJack is free for first year | | • | Each magicJack includes a free phone number to receive call from anyone in the world | | • | Free outbound local and long distance calls |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Add magicJack Telephone Adapter to your PC and you can make telephone calls within the USA and Canada for FREE! Skype uses a peer-to-peer network, whereas magicJack uses a dedicated telephone networkOther VoIP carriers do not have dedicated telephone networks, and lease this service from other companies. That means higher costs and poorer reliability. magicJack uses its own dedicated telephone network. You can use magicJack with either a regular telephone handset, or with a headset. You can also use both, and switch between the two. You can move magicJack between Internet providers. You can use magicJack from anywhere in the world (where broadband web access is available). It requires - PC - Windows XP or Vista operating system; (Mac/Apple expected soon); Broadband, high-speed internet, cable internet, DSL - WiFi - WiMax magicJack comes with an easy-to-use device to allow you to use a regular telephone handset. Service is free for 1st year. $20 per year thereafter.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 194
 It works April 22, 2008
Phoenix T. (Bay City, MI USA)
151 out of 157 found this review helpful
My uncle in Georgia has one of these, and I live in Michigan. When I first heard of Magic Jack it intrigued me that he was only paying $19.95 a year for phone service. So I had to check it out. So I went to the web site, and I did a lot of reading. After talking it over with my wife, we decided to try it out. It only took a couple of days to get it, and set up was easy, but when I plugged a phone in it to make a call, it was horrible. Though I remember reading some where that a power USB hub could fix this problem. So I order one up, and waited. Once it arrived, I hooked everything up to my computer, and started making calls. It worked great! Every time, with every call. I have been running it for a week, and no problems. In my personal option, no digital phone service will ever sound like a regular phone line. I know people the have Vonage, and Packet8, and this works just as great as those, maybe even better. I also have slowest DSL possible (768k), and sounded great, even when I was downloading files on the internet.
To those who have had problems:
1. Read everything before you buy. I have noticed on the internet people complaining about how it doesn't work. It is a piece of technology, and even though it is supposed to be an easy thing, it may require some reading on your part to learn how to make it work. Everything can be found in the FAQ's section on their Magic Jack's website.
2. If you buy this item and don't work, like bad reception, or no dial tone, broken conversation, get a Powered USB hub. For 15 bucks, it makes it run great, and I have a lot more USB ports now.
Pros:
* I like the fact that is cheap. $19.95 a year cheap! I like to save money, who wouldn't in today's world?
* The fact I can call long distance for free, and saving money.
* The call quality is great, if my 83 grandmother could hear me, and understand what I am talking about, then the sound quality has to be decent.
* It can go with me if I ever decide to travel, I am too poor to do that right now.
Cons:
* The fact that I had to get a USB hub to make it work great. On the web site it says plug and go. If I wouldn't have read about it I probably never would got it to work.
* Their tech support could be better, I never have used it, but from what I have read, it isn't all that great.
* In order to use it, your computer has to be on. I leave my computer on 24/7 anyway so it doesn't bother me any. To those that shut off your computer at night then your phone wouldn't work, and who wants a call at 3am anyway?
* No local area code for me yet. Though there might be one someday.
There may be other quirks that I don't know about, but all know the problems I had when I first hooked it up, versus how it works with a hub, I doubt I will have an real issues with it.
MAJIC JACK April 7, 2008
R. Doucet (fort worth, texas)
61 out of 62 found this review helpful
OK HERE IS THE DEAL!!!
The majic jack is all that it says "IF YOU HAVE A GOOD RELIABLE COMPUTER", "AND GOOD INTERNET SERVICE" I have had my issuse with this product but it all comes down to. If your computer stutters (slow) when starting then you phone service will do the same. The majic jack is only as good as the computer or network it is hooked up to. Trust me I have tested this myself. I plugged it to this OLD...VERY SLOW computer in my home and the service was absolutely HORRIBLE, then I plugged it in to my laptop I just purchased and it was AWESOME. I was just like a regular home phone.Also since my computer has a built in microphone I was able to talk without even plugging in my home phone. All I needed was the majic jack. So as a customer myself I feel anything new is going to have its problems ,but for the price...Come on folks. I paid 49.99 and I am paid up for 5 years....Can't beat that. If your conputer is ancient and loaded with junck and it is slow online, then do not buy it til you gat a better machine. If you computer is up to date and runs at a good speed. Get it cause it is a steal of a deal. Hope this helped!!
Saves me tons of money February 16, 2008
Tsiberian
56 out of 64 found this review helpful
The area i live in has a unique billing service for there phone system. they not only have a local and long distance but they have whats called a toll and zone calling. of course the last two pricing is 2 to 3 times as much. They dont tell you if your calling zone, toll, or long distance. so my phone bills are extremely high. I decided to try magic jack and bought it directly from the web site.
i got it within a couple of days. It costed me 40.00 plus 20.00 for shipping for the first year. i figured i saved me between 25.00 to 55.00 a month with this service.
Pro:
1: you can use any regular phone to connect to the box.
2: you can use it when your on vacation with the same phone number.
(i have a lap top i bring along)
3: it sounds the same voice if your calling next store or accross
the country. crisp and clear.
4: 20.00 per year after the first year is free. cost is extremely cheap.
5: It sends you an email of any messages that are left. i can get them at work any time. that is if magic jack is not pluged in.
cons:
1: like a cell phone there is an occasional cut out. you dont know when your disconnected.
2: occasionally when you plug magic jack in it gives off a loud buzz. i just disconnect it and reconnect it and it works fine.
3: this is dependent upon your high speed internet line. My dsl line is very marginal at best and does cut out a couple of times a day. so i cannot blame magic jack at these times.
Conclusion.
I love the product. with its minor problems i can live with in comparison on how much money its saving me.
Using Magic Jack economically and effectively November 22, 2009
Steven W. Rose (Haliimaile, HI United States)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful
I'll start with a summary:
o If you can, buy a netbook (Windows based) that you can dedicate to MJ and other purposes mentioned below 24/7.
o Keep one landline phone
o If MJ doesn't have your area code or prefix, choose from the rest of the US.
> Dedicate a netbook: A netbook consumes very little energy (unlike many desktops), but is more than powerful enough to run the MJ. Because it is a portable, it has a built in battery backup in case of power failure (i.e. no reboot required when power is restored within the battery life). Since it has a built in mike and speaker, it can double as a speakerphone (although I'd recommend connecting the MJ to a local wireless phone system with multiple handsets for convenience).
The netbook also serves as a Skype videoconferencing device (free). And if you set up an account dedicated to the netbook in addition to your regular account, you can do real magic:
o Set Skype to load automatically when the netbook is booted, and to log on to the dedicated account.
o Set the account to autoanswer with video on, but only to those on the contact list.
o Put only your regular account on the contact list, and lock out anyone else from being added automatically to the list.
Now, when you call the dedicated Skype account via your account from almost any other computer in the world, your netbook becomes a security camera (with audio) and you can keep an eye on home. I use this for premises security and to be able to see my grandchildren in their playroom when I can't be there. Of course, if I'm using a webcam equipped computer, they can see and talk with me as well.
The netbook can also serve in the meantime as a photo frame, with video and audio capability. For slideshows (and simple photo editing) I strongly recommend Irfanview, which Irfan provides for free ([...]). You may have other background tasks for the netbook. These all still work even if you take the MJ with you while traveling.
> Keep one landline:
MJ offers 911 with a very cool system so you can change the reported address as you travel. However, I don't know if it is smart enough to dial the local 911 in spite of the phone number assigned.
it makes sense to keey one landline phone, but convert the billing to pay by the minute (even for local outgoing calls). Landline phones remain powered during electrical outages (batteries in the central office). This will be your emergency / 911 phone, and should cost you less than $10 / month -- or free. If you use DSL for your internet access, your phone company may offer a bundled deal that is no more for DSL and a minimal phone than just DSL. In fact, I pay $2 less a month for the bundle than DSL alone! The landline (which you should check periodically) is there just for emergencies.
> Choosing your phone area code and prefix: Pick ones that will be easy to remember. It doesn't matter where it is, all outgoing calls to the US are free. However, if you have a concentration of friends or business associates in a specific area, choose a number from there to make a call to you be a local call for them!
I have several MJs -- one at a house that was my mom's, a second line for home, and a primary line at a workplace without a regular phone. They all have been great. Remember to properly shut down the two "drives" that correspond to the MJ before removing it, and if you have a problem with connecting, first check your internet connection by using your browser. If it is OK, reboot the machine (only happened a couple of times, same as normal windows use).
I'm not a big fan of design or marketing (just function). The MJ informercial was such a turnoff that I didn't even investigate for several months (stupid me). But I really like the design of the MJ and its little blue light. And I also like the fact that I have excellent phone service for a little more than $1 per month (when you register your MJ, you will be offered five additional years of service for $60, equalling $100 for six years (72 months) of local and long distance service with a conventional telephone number. Skype would be about $6 per month for a phone number and unlimited US service, and you know what you pay for your landline phone!
Aloha,
Steve
MagicJack has the best service for the cost April 28, 2008
Mike Shirley (Costa Mesa, CA United States)
12 out of 14 found this review helpful
I've had MagicJack since mid February and it runs well on my PC and MacBook. Very simple installation process and the call quality is best of the VoIP lot and I've used Skype, Gizmo, and various ATA and USB Dongle services/hardware products. Customer Service is terrible but third party unofficial support is growing nicely.
Nobody can touch this quality of service and extensive feature set for $20 or less per year. I just bought another 3 years of service after my two month evaluation. It works well with GrandCentral also.
MJ is sensitive to telephone sets so be prepared to try several if you can't get an inbound call completed successfully. Use Google to find more help if MJ's FAQ files are not helpful before you use the very poor text chat off-shore tech support service.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 194
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