magicJack: Yet Another Way to Make Cheap Calls

A company called magicJack will officially launch its gadget/phone service by the same name on April 7th. Basically, it's a little gizmo that attaches to your computer through a USB port and has a standard phone jack on the other. It will allow you to make an unlimited number of calls anywhere within the United States for a low yearly fee (rumored to be $39 for the first year including the gadget then $19 per year thereafter).

Telecom veteran and inventor of the magicJack Don Borislow claims the new service will lead to nothing less than the "Telecom Revolution Part II". Wow, that's more hype per square inch than Sony, Apple and Microsoft could put together in a press release.

Update: the MagicJack is now available for orders. Pricing is indeed $39.95 for the gadget itself and includes one year of calls in the US. Each subsequent year will cost $19.95.

Link to post on GigaOm about the magicJack here.

Comments

[arlene conway]

Just got magic jack and it is great. Will tell all my friends about it

[Abby]

The worst possible service, needs refreshing every hour not to mention no customer service at all.

[Melike Myers]

Worst voice quality. Can not communicate. No phone number to call for tech support.

Melike Myers

[Mark]

Excellent quality. The big issue is that it doesn't provide enough area codes yet, so if local people want to call me, they have to dial long distance. That's a deal breaker for me at the time, I'm afraid. Otherwise, seems to work as advertised. Hopefully, they will provide more area codes shortly.

[Esther]

Go to GrandCentral and sign up for a local phone number. They had oodles in my area, then send the number to the magicjack phone number. Anyone who calls will call a local number. They won't know it was sent to the magicjack line. Can also be routed to cell phone.

[Anee lategano]

"Place Where You Want To Be Heard"

[Kat]

That tip about was GrandCentral was great. However, when I went there it said that it was a private service that required an invite from a member to get a number.

Would you have an invite you could give me so I can join and acquire a number?

If so, please contact me at leftoverturkey@comcast.net.

Thanks! Kathy

[Paul]

this comment is for esther or kathy - I believe they both were able to get local numbers through grand central - I would like to get one as well but I need to have an invite as well- my email is pntmueller@yahoo.com

thanks so much.

Paul

[Anastasia]

hey guys what about making call to other countries like Russia...seem that you can only call long distance in USA and Canada.
I already am in USA and want to make a call to Russia...it doesn't work that way?

[Lee A. Fabry]

have Magic Jack for 2 weeks. wont download and your email box is full. Had 45 minute live chat with your teck person Melissa. She tried everything under the sun, but couldn't get the dam thing to work. I said send me another one and she said okay. Otherwise send my money back. You email box has been bull for 2 weeks

[Storm]

I bought one for my wife just so that she would stop running my cell phone minutes into the ground. Its been Beautifull … I have reduced my cell phone minutes to 600 from a 1000 on tmobile and saved even more money that way.

The product works fine with a broadband connection - I dont think it works with Dial up if you are still in the dark ages.

I am a happy customer.

I bought it at http://www.kingdirect.com here is the link to buy http://www.kingdirect.com/p7022/magicJack-USB-Telecom-Device/product_info.html?

[Storm]

I bought one for my wife just so that she would stop running my cell phone minutes into the ground. Its been Beautifull … I have reduced my cell phone minutes to 600 from a 1000 on tmobile and saved even more money that way.

The product works fine with a broadband connection - I dont think it works with Dial up if you are still in the dark ages.

I am a happy customer.

I bought it at http://www.kingdirect.com here is the link to buy http://www.kingdirect.com/p7022/magicJack-USB-Telecom-Device/product_info.html?

[Frances Scribner]

Shaloam, I wish Magic Jack would port numbers. This would prevent local callers from having to pay long distance fees. This is a very big let down.

[murray rosenthal]

you say to make all the local and domestic long distance calls for free,but what about charges to me for calls that come into my new phone # when the recipients get my # on their caller id ? you don't mention incomming calls , how come?

[Glen]

Ok, you've been around from since mid last year and you've had time to take some of the kinks out or improve the product, can you port numbers as yet? In other words, CAN I USE MY OLD TELEPHONE # IF I WANT TO KEEP IT SINCE YOU DON'T HAVE TOO MANY NUMBERS?

[deceived]

Magic Jack advertises Free - not Cheap!
I'll give ya the same deal "Free"!.. Let me into your registry. Let me place cookies at will for my advertisers to come and if you object - no more free! What a deal.. !! Heres a free bus pass for $100/year. Course you have to go to the back of the bus each time, pull your pants down and bend over - well, how else do you expect us to give you free transportation for a year?? oops, that was free phone service wasnt it??

[carl]

Do i have to pay for in-comming phone calls to my magic jack,do i have to pay for any phone calls what-so-ever, tell me any and all the hidden charges,completely, thanks Carl.

[carl]

So, give me some answers, Thanks Carl.

[jvalver]

There is no cost for incoming calls. works fine. The only problem I have is faxing with it.

[Sonia]

Hi i'm waiting on my magicjack but i'm woundering can i use it any where like on other computers like if i go to the library can i use it there too Thanks Sonia S
plz contact me at soniaszenay2000@yahoo.com

[Storm]

I travel a lot and I have been using it on the road as well.
The downside was that I didnt have an analog phone with me in the airports and I looked silly talking into my laptop.

The solution however was found here with this little device at http://www.icpcparts.com/catalog2/voice-over-phone-p-220.html
it is a USB phone that works with the magic jack and other Voip systems.

I now have a phone that looks like a small cell phone and works with Magic Jack on the road, the only downside is you dont dial from the pad .. you have to dial from the soft phone on your screen and switch to the headphone option. (except with Skype).

But it works great voice quality was excellent along with the magic jack . here are the two links for the magicJack and the cell Phone look alike.
http://www.icpcparts.com/catalog2/voice-over-phone-p-220.html

http://www.icpcparts.com/catalog2/voip-telecom-devices-c-36.html

http://www.icpcparts.com/catalog2/magic-jack-telecom-device-p-962.html

[Tina]

Re; GrandCentral, I would like to get a local number as well but I need an invite as well. My email is cerebrums1@yahoo.com
Thank You.

[art64]

How much do they charge for outgoing calls. I think I read something called magicout.

[Dorothea]

Re:Grand Central,I would like to get a local
number as well but I need a invite.
my email is dorothea862@aol.com
Thank you!

[Michelle]

Re: Grand Central, I would like to get a local number as well, but I need an invite. My email is volbright@yahoo.com

Thank you!!

[Joy]

Hi Grand Central, I want a local number too, please invite me with email rjtanara@msn.com

[prechrchet]

Would it be possible for me to get an invite to Grandcentral? (chet@adoptionvoyages.com) If it's not possible, I understand, but it would be real nice if I could.

Thanks.

[Chuck]

Need me a local area code too please Grand Central send me an invitation via e-mail pc.genius2000@yahoo.com

[Kristin]

I just heard about Magic Jack and they don't have my area code. Can I get an invite to Grand Central? Thanks!

[Donna]

Can anyine give me m ore feedback on using Magic Jack for a fax line. I don't need a home phone but my fax line is more that I want to pay.

[Dusti Hall]

Hi there Grand Central, I guess you got a lot more than you bargained for. Could you please invite me as well so that I may get a local number. Thanks so much. Phxdust@aol.com Appreciate your time. Dusti

[mike]

grand central can you please invite me as well too so i may get a local number.here's my email mcnamary01@yahoo.com
thanks,
Lance

Hi....
Need a local area code and an invite...could you please help?
Email is..JGary6107@aol.com
Would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks

[Rodd]

I am having trouble receiving phone calls from people. Is anyone experiencing this as well? Also, what is Grandcentral and all this talk about getting a local number with the proper area code? How do I get invited to Grandcentral?

[Rodd]

Hi Grand Central, I would like a local number as well. Please invite me at rhiggins6@msn.com

[Skip]

Hello, I also would appreciate an invite- jholmes331@sbcglobal.net Thanks!

[karen graves]

Wrong email, I messed my post up. I would like an invite to Grandcentral for a local number. Thanks, My correct email is kgraves3@verizon.net

[Natasha Pike]

Hi I just ordered the magicjack, can I get an invite too for Grand Central please?

[Natasha Pike]

Oops, my email address is hvgb_gyrl@hotmail.com, Thanks!!

[omar buchanan]

hey I ordered a magicjack in canada can I get a Toronto phone Number
Omarbuchanan2@gmail.com

[Marl Jo]

Hi I just received a magicjack BUT I can hear the other person VERY well they can't hear me at all...can't get any one I call to hear me....WHAT can I do folks? Grand central I am in canada too would greatly appreciate a invite . my email is ravensquills@yahoo.ca
Thanks,
MarlJo

[dbixler]

Please invite me to Grand Central. My email is drbixler@gmail.com

Thanks!

[RONALD JACKSON]

hope it work for me the service sond very good