For $40 (plus $20 per year), MagicJack's USB VoIP dongle will let you make free unlimited telephone-to-telephone calls, but this week the company's announced MagicTalk, a piece of software for internet-connected phones and computers that will waive even those upfront costs. The
Associated Press tracked down one of our favorite
ruthless salesmen, MagicJack CEO Dan Borislow, who described a service much like Google Voice and Skype, number portability and all -- except it adds the whole allowing-free-calls-to-regular-ol-telephones bit by charging the companies that carry incoming calls. The service will reportedly be available on Windows and Mac next week, with iOS, Blackberry and Android by October, but
speaking of promises, Borislow said plans for the company's
legally-ambiguous femtocell are now on hold -- the device can't legitimately muster up enough power without a cellular carrier on board.
In other news, NetTalk announced last week that its pair of
competing VoIP boxes now support free video calls. We imagine the timing (and naming) of MagicJack's new service isn't making 'em feel too good.
posted August 15th 2010 1:19PM
I was almost considering magic jack when i was switching phone services to something cheaper... Skype got my money though.
To me, call quality with magicJack is fine. Basically, there is no real need in having a landline phone anymore, but I decided to use magicJack instead of switching to cell phone completely. For international calls we use either Skype or Google Voice.
/ For $40 (plus $20 per year), MagicJack's USB VoIP dongle will let you make free unlimited telephone-to-telephone calls /
Paying $40 + $20/year is not free...
Is there Bluetooth enable for this....
Magic Jack sucks!
The voice quality is horrible and its not versatile. what else can we expect from them, another horrible unit.
I swapped over to other services.
Skype, netTALK, google voice. So much better.
I have had a magicJack for years. At first I used it often. Initially, voice quality was terrible. I actually emailed Borislow and he wrote back and since then, voice quaility has been great. The problem is that I have a great plan on my cell phone and never actuallyuse my magicJack. I bought it because of my severe gadget addiction and my curiosity. I use Skype for international communication, but I sure wish there was a Skype app for my MetroPCS Blackberry. I had considered getting the TK6000. I would be VERY interested in a device which plugged directly in to my router and which had an RJ-12 plug for phone or fax. I would LOVE a WiFi based phone app for my BB.
If Borislow can provide that, it would be terrific.
Not sure I understand why I would switch from Skype?