[Kitty]

Has anyone here tried the Magic Jack? It's the device you plug into your computer and it provides you with a phone line.

I've seen it advertised on TV but haven't yet tried it out. Tried to find one today but couldn't. I don't want to order it....I know stores have it now.

What is your opinion of it? Is it worth the $20?

[SallyC]

Don't you have to sign a contract and pay so much per month, too??

[Kitty]

Not that I know of? They advertise it as being just $19.95. That's a good question, though. I hope someone knows!

[SallyC]

Originally Posted by Kitty

Not that I know of? They advertise it as being just $19.95. That's a good question, though. I hope someone knows!

I got this off ot their website.

The Magic Jack phone service initially starts out costing $39.95 for the VOIP phone jack device, that plugs straight into your desktop computer. All you have to do is plug in any handset phone, or you can even use a headset connected to the computer if you prefer.
Once plugged in, the Magic Jack device automatically installs itself, prompting you for phone number registration when the time comes. Once you’re registered and signed up, you’re service begins immediately.
The first year of service is free, after that it’s only $19.95 for each additional year. Way cheaper than any of the other internet phone providers on the market today, and packed with the same great features, even a few extras that not all providers include.

[Kitty]

Thanks, Sally! I've looked on various websites but never saw that. That will help me make my decision.

Anybody use this service? What'd you think of it? I have a cell phone that I use exclusively but it'd be nice to have a landline for times when I just want to chat without counting minutes or for when I know I'm going to be on hold for a while.

[tkrik]

I've never used it. One of my brothers does. I am not sure what his reason but he uses Vonage. Basic phone service is probably cheaper than the Magic Jack. Here, basic service runs around $25.00 a month (that includes all the stupid taxes, FCC charges, etc.).

I keep a land line because I am easier for 911 to locate if I called them. Should someone break in to my house while I'm home I don't want to have to explain where I am. LOL

[Jomar]

I had ordered one about 2 yrs ago, but after {Google-ing} & reading all the reviews and customer complaints/issues I canceled the order.

I don't know if it is made any better now or not, but they are running TV commercials for it now here...

but I guess that doesn't really mean anything special.

Probably some new searches for reviews & complaints that are current would be a good way to find out how it is doing.

they even have videos about it-
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...rch_type=&aq=f

and here's an older thread from the computer forum about it-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ght=magic+jack

[Kitty]

Originally Posted by tkrik

I keep a land line because I am easier for 911 to locate if I called them. Should someone break in to my house while I'm home I don't want to have to explain where I am. LOL

I can get statewide phone service through my cable provider much cheaper than both long distance and local/statewide. I don't call long distance very much plus I have my cell phone if I need to do that.

Like you, Tricia, I want to be able to call 911 if I need to without having to give directions! I'll still keep my Safelink phone but I'll feel better knowing that I can reach help easily if I need to. DS has been after me to get a landline ever since I canceled it and started using the Safelink wireless phone exclusively. He even offered to pay for it!

[Riverwild]

I'd sure like to know if this works with DSL. I understand that it DOES work on high speed cable but no mention anywhere that I can find of DSL.

I would love to have high speed internet. I am still on dialup. There's no cable here, nor will there ever be. Satellite internet is out of the question, too expensive. DSL is supposedly now available through the phone co. that holds us hostage but the price is very high and regardless of whether they say it's available, in a lot of places, it's NOT! They also will not selling "naked" DSL. They make you sign up for phone service and then you can buy DSL, even though the wires are all you need. I am sure it's because they know most people would shut off landline service and save by getting one of these or some other service that cuts the hostage takers out of the loop...

[legzzalot]

Magic Jack, Like Vonage and the online one... Skype. They all depend on where you live, your bandwith, and what type of modem you have. People who live in larger cities with greater internet service and more powerful connections have no problems with it.

I on the other hand... live in a neighborhood where I have to share bandwith with my neighbors, so every friday night I am without internet service if we all sign on at once. This is with comcasts high speed cable internet which costs a ridiculous amount of money but they are a monopoly in my neighborhood as no one else can service us. Verizons circuits were overloaded with DSL and we don't have enough people here for them in install FIOS.

I had a customer who loved the Magic Jack so much that he actually bought me one. At the time I had DSL, and the 2 calls I made with it were broken and faded in and out like a bad cell phone connection. Then we moved, and we had FIOS, I tried it again, and again it was liek a cell phone in an elevator, and I had to buy the Voip handset. I then ran acrossed a linksys VOIP adapter and had a somewhat decent connection using it with Skype. BUT, my fios wouild reset itself every half hour or so, and if I was using the skype, it would drop my call.

The other issue with it, if you have more than one computer.... We have 2 laptops and 2 desktops. Both laptops are wireless and at the time the one desktop was connected via an ethernet cable. Whenever someone ould touch any of the computers and change a webpage, my calls would fade again. I think if I only had the one computer and didn't use it while on the phone it could work.

Keep in mind that with the Magic Jack and with Skype, you do not get a dedicated number unless you pay for it, so people would not be able to call you directly. This is why Vonage charges so much per month.

In summary, I am not saying it is a bad product, but it did not work for me. If it does work for you, you will save a considerable amount of money on your home phone service, but most of them will not allow you call 911 either, so that is something else to consider.