Magic Jack

[Motown]

Ok, can someone give me some insight as to what this is, & does it work. supposedly, it replaces the phone jack from the wall to your pc w/free local AND long distance. does this actually work or is this just gimmick? thanks

[bsb13]

Re: Magic Jack

My Dad has one of these and judging by him, it works exactly as advertised. Doesn't seem to be a gimmick at all.

[MC Fatigue]

Re: Magic Jack

All it does is use your Internet connection to make calls. It's no different from any other VOIP, really, and there are a lot better out there.

I saw an ad myself and looked it up just to see what people said, and it's basically not worth it. I mean, it does what it says it does for the most part - but there are better services out there that don't require your computer to be on 24/7 to make or receive calls, and that don't interfere with your computer (annoying pop-ups, etc).

[bsb13]

Re: Magic Jack

All it does is use your Internet connection to make calls. It's no different from any other VOIP, really, and there are a lot better out there.

I saw an ad myself and looked it up just to see what people said, and it's basically not worth it. I mean, it does what it says it does for the most part - but there are better services out there that don't require your computer to be on 24/7 to make or receive calls, and that don't interfere with your computer (annoying pop-ups, etc).

But are the other services as cheap?

[MC Fatigue]

Re: Magic Jack

But are the other services as cheap?

The price isn't worth the hassle. Charter VOIP phone is cheap enough and doesn't require me to use computer resources, have my computer on 24/7, have a big thing constantly taking up a USB port, have pop-ups, and other such things.

Like I said - it does what it says, but the way it works isn't worth it to me.

I mean, it's fine for people who maybe don't really need a phone, or don't mind leaving their computer on all the time if they want to be able to use their phone. And it sounds like a great way to have free calling when you're traveling - but I just don't see it as a legitimate replacement for a home land line. If your computer goes down, you can't even make or receive calls anymore. And computers do crash. Plus I've heard the customer service is pretty shoddy.

[bsb13]

Re: Magic Jack

have my computer on 24/7, have a big thing constantly taking up a USB port, have pop-ups,

These three things are definitely true, but the only time a pop-up occurs is when my Dad boots up his computer, but they never happen after that or atleast to my knowledge they dont.

But if you dont mind those three things it will be worth it.

[bsb13]

Re: Magic Jack

I mean, it's fine for people who maybe don't really need a phone, or don't mind leaving their computer on all the time if they want to be able to use their phone. And it sounds like a great way to have free calling when you're traveling - but I just don't see it as a legitimate replacement for a home land line. If your computer goes down, you can't even make or receive calls anymore. And computers do crash. Plus I've heard the customer service is pretty shoddy.

Yeah, my dad doesnt really use it as his primary phone....he has a cell phone he uses most of the time.

If it will be the ONLY phone you have, it may or may not be worth it.