said by 95559781 :

In my opinion, the MagicJack is going to destroy ALL of the voip providers as you would have to be insane to go with Vonage, Packet8, ViaTalk....when you could just purchase a MagicJack.

said by swanboy :

For those who don’t know, there is $0 monthly charge, only a $19.95 annual fee. That is, frankly, laughable if they are truly going to offer what they say they are.

Question

How can you offer all this for such a low price?
Answers

The Inventor and CEO of the Company previously shattered the price barrier on consumer telephone services. They have now joined together to bring you the newest technology to enable you to get free telephone service.

said by gimme5 :

Since you can't call international phone numbers with MJ, I have to stick with Lingo.

said by gimme5 :

Since you can't call international phone numbers with MJ, I have to stick with Lingo.

said by dbmaven :

Question for you users:

I'd guess that you can use a USB (or even Bluetooth) headset, like Skype, if you want to use just the softphone?

Thanks.

said by jeffnyc :

Wondering if Magicjack will provide telemarketers with your number as a source of ad revenue.

said by digiblur :

Definitely a big no in my book. I don't need something tied to the computer. Not to mention my computer is a little far from my VoIP panel. "Oh wait...I can't use the phone. My hard drive died." "Uhh...no AutoUpdate you can't reboot now! Can't you see I'm on the phone? Stupid windows!!"

No thanks...

said by pcmeet :

We need to find out why MJ wants a piece of your computer?? :D why not an ATA that connects to a router? I will pay for an ATA with MJ even if it is locked and will not take the USB or the softphone even it is for free!

said by ChuckIL9 :

There is some evidence that it will work with multiple phones with home wiring here:

»forum.magicjack.com/forum/viewto···hp?t=146

I asked support about this and they replied that "it might work". I would think if you have multiple phones with electronic ringers, it should be OK. I would think that mechanical ringers would require too much amperage. I'm going to give it a whirl when my device shows up.

said by jeffnyc :

I'm just concerned about some type of electrical feedback that will fry your usb port or even computer .

said by Granddaddy :

Sounds good....but just how do I set up the ATA for a second line? I use the old SunRocket 211SR ATA.

said by dbmaven :

I have both sent and received faxes with no problem whatsoever.

As has been said, it appears to depend on the local unit attached to the MJ line.

said by jeffnyc :

By "local unit" , do you mean the fax machine itself?

said by fairuser :

Is there any way to check voicemail remotely without the device?

said by Niggle :

Wow. That makes them sound like a bunch of sleazebags. Thanks for the heads up.

said by JYLD :

Skype can only call other skype people. Magicjack is true VOIP and can call any phone number whether it be a POTS number or a vonage number or whatever. POTS people can call your magicjack from their regular POTS phone. They can't call a skype number(sip address).

said by ejrobinson :

Magic jack also doesn't install anything on your computer either.

said by JYLD :

Yeah skype is frickin fantastic.

said by ejrobinson :

A key difference is that skype is peer to peer. Using it you make your computer part of the chain that others may well use for calls to get to their destination, with whatever risks that may occur, as well as using your system's resources. Magic jack is voip. It uses sip; it isn't peer to peer. Magic jack also doesn't install anything on your computer either. You can take the little thing and use it on any other computer. The front end cost is higher but overall it might well be cheaper than skype, and it certainly is safer and others won't be using your system as a transit point.

-er

said by JYLD :

So for skype to provide all the services that magicjack provides you have to cobble together various options and pay $60.00 or 50% more than the first year of magicjack and 200% higher than the second year for magicjack.

Plus with magicjack you can use any old extra phone you've got laying around and with skype you have to buy a headset and mic or skype phone for another $20 to $70 the first year.

Yeah skype is frickin fantastic.

Gary

said by JYLD :

If you need to conference call with 24 other individuals, you shouldn't be using skype or magicjack.

I, like most people, have no need for international calling at all. However, magicjack can call internationally for free to any other magicjack user, just like skype calls internationally for free to any other skype user.

If you use a pots line phone to make a phone call you are using the pots line phone not skype. I'm afraid I don't understand your comment that you can make a skype call on a pots line phone, unless you are just talking about calling a skype number of some kind?

If skype is what somebody wants. Great for them use skype. I want a phone line that works like a pots line and I want it super cheap. As far as I can tell magicjack meets this need in a more direct and simple fashion than skype. When I'm working and need my extra magicjack line my computer is on so magicjack works great and travels with me and my laptop wherever I am.

Gary

said by JYLD :

For a pots line user to call a magicjack number they have to pick up their phone and dial the 10 digit number just like any other call.

For a pots line user to call a skype number they can't, unless they or the skype number they are trying to call are somehow using some program you've written and program in speed dial codes of some kind.

So one of the facts that needs to be out there is that one of the differences between a magicjack number and a skype number is that the magicjack works just like a regular pots This doesn't exactly bear out your earlier claim that strongly implied a skype phone number can be called by a pots line user just like any other regular telephone number.
phone number and skype doesn't.

If one wants transparency and familiar sameness of a pots line phone for their customers who may call them then a solution like magicjack or for a lot more money vonage, et al is a far better and more complete solution to skype. Those are the facts, imho.

Gary

said by JYLD :

OK, so we are back to you have to subscribe to Skype Pro and Skype In and ? For more money than a magicjack costs, and then you have to get a headset and mic or buy a skype phone in order to duplicate what a magicjack and any old extra phone you have laying around can accomplish for less money.

And none of the above takes into account the differences in voice quality which from what I've read about skype and other services compared to magicjack is usually not nearly as good as magicjack.

Gary

said by ZOverLord :

...with Skype you can make it a system service if needed, and if required also use an ATA so that your phone is available even when the computer is sitting at the Windows welcome screen.

Since Magicjack does not support an outbound unlimited calling only option.

said by zaldy :

Can you use Grandstream ATA with Skype?

said by zaldy :

Can you use Grandstream ATA with Skype? Also I thought Magic Jack is always unlimited outgoing for US and Canada.

said by ZOverLord :

Where are the instructions to set Magicjack to run as a system service? Link please?

said by laserjobs :

Ask in the Unofficial MagicJack Forums, someone will be able to point you in the right direction.
»unofficialmagicjack.forum2u.org

said by 36693325 :

ZOverLord, I love Skype for all of the reasons that you have expressed plus many more. However,...........

Skype's revenue model is essentially that of a "minute stealer" and unfortunately MagicJack is now a more efficent minute stealer. I still keep some SkypeOut credits for international calls, PamFax etc., however I will not purchase SkypePro or a SkypeIn number due to the fact that I now have a MagicJack. MagicJack is far more useful as a minute steaker when connected to a set of cordless phones.

In addition, the MagicJack is going to be a hot seller at retail due to the fact that it is tangible, simple and intuitively easy for anyone to understand. It has great "impulse buy" potential.

The technology is simple and Skype should copy it and introduce a SkypeJack at the same price point with the same features, if not MagicJack will out minute steal Skype.

»www.tjnet.com/

said by ZOverLord :

Is this like secret stuff, how about a link?

said by laserjobs :

No I just didn't have time to find the exact thread. Just do a search over there.

said by ChuckIL9 :

My phone company can beat up both your phone companies. :uhh:

said by 36693325 :

ZOverLord, do you think that a MagicJack could be reprogrammed to use Skype?

said by JYLD :

.
Zoverlord, your last post is a great commercial for magicjack even though you didn't intend it that way.

If you want a phone with great voice quality that uses industry standard SIP protocol and is as simple and easy to use as a phone with free long distance and unlimited calling get a magicjack and plug it into your computer and plug any old phone into it and bingo you have phone service.

If you want a non-standard non-SIP solution that requires you to build a phone or build a phone system from parts get skype.

Skype and its aficionados need to realize all its options aren't a feature without an industry standard simple solution.

Non-techies want a phone not a technical manual on how to put one together.

Gary

Gary

said by JYLD :

.
Its really rather simple. Try to pay attention. When you pay $20 for a years worth of unlimited local and long distance calling to anywhere in the USA and Canada you have an additional contract for service. The terms of service is no longer the only contract you have, but the new contract fits exactly with the terms of service as previously quoted. If such comprehension is beyond your capabilities then take an asprin and forget those law school aspirations.

How long will skype be available period or available at $48 year when they lose money at that price point with their failing business model.

Nobody knows the value of skype better than its owner ebay, and ebay is looking to dump it rather than continue to pour good money after bad with its profitless business model.

Gary

said by zaldy :

Thanks for enlightening me :)