You may have seen the Magicjack advertised on late night television. That’s where I first saw it, and I was a little skeptical of how a company could sell unlimited home phone service for only $20 per year. Just as you are doing now, I jumped on line and searched for a few magicjack reviews. The turning point was when I found a positive review from my favorite CNBC commentator Herb Greenberg. If a fellow skeptic like Herb could like it, then I knew it was worth a shot for me!
You don’t have to wait for a replay of the commercial to buy one. They are available for purchase directly from the magicjack website or Amazon.com. From the magicjack website it will cost you $40 plus shipping and handling – $20 for the device and $20 for the first full year of service. They even offer a 30 day money back guarantee but once I tried it, I quickly realized it was well worth my $40 total investment. Of course, there was the typical attempts to up sell the product such as prioritized availability, expedited delivery and extra pre paid years of service. I found the up selling options on the magicjack site very confusing and misleading. That check out process was really my only complaint from the magicjack experience. For that reason, and for a quicker shopping experience with much less hassle, I highly recommend purchasing the magicjack directly on Amazon.com at the following link.
The magicjack packaging was slim and simple but the device was well padded and did work right out of the box. I just plugged the magicjack directly into my Dell computer, and the magicjack software automatically installed itself. The magicjack has just 2 ports – one end goes into the USB connector of your computer, and the other end is where you plug in any standard phone with an RJ11 plug. I use my GE 900 Mhz cordless phone with my magicjack. You can make calls either using the magicjack software interface or directly from your standard phone. Here are a few pictures:
Surprisingly, the magicjack is pretty well featured for such an inexpensive device and service. The list of features include:
- Your own dedicated phone number for both inbound and outbound calls
- Free directory assistance calls to 411
- 911 service works but there are reasonable limitations, as explained on the magicjack website.
- Free call waiting
- Free voicemail
- Free caller ID if your phone supports it
- Free international calls to other magicjack users – other international calls at reasonable rates
- You can even set up call forwarding to a cell phone or other number
A few limitations of the magicjack are:
- Number portability is not in place yet. You will receive a brand new phone number for your magicjack line
- Your Internet connection must be available to use your magicjack phone
- Your computer must be turned on to make or receive calls with the magicjack
- 911 service limitations really need to be understood completely, especially if you do not have a backup device for 911
Note: Even with my computer turned off, I was still able to receive magicjack voicemail. When new voicemails are received, the magicjack service automatically emails a wave file recording of the message to your email address on file. This is probably my favorite magicjack feature!
Of all the magicjack limitations, the one that many customers may have a hard time with is the requirement to have the computer on. With other VOIP calling services such as Vonage or Comcast voice, only the VOIP router needs to be on because the phone plugs directly into the router, and not the computer. But those other services are significantly more expensive then the magicjack. Vonage has an unlimited calling plan for $24.95 per month ($300 per year), and the Comcast triple play goes for $33 per month ($396 per year).
The bottom line is that if you can live with the limitations, then the magicjack is an incredibly good deal for unlimited home phone service at only $20 per year. Remember to purchase it on Amazon for a quicker check out process.
