Magic jack?

I saw the magic jack from the sunday newspaper. Pc magizine, Best buy and radio shack They rewiewed and all of them like it. My girlfriend goes to college in Sac. I live near SF. Can I use it to her free? What is the catch?

You don't get much. My brother got this and it didn't work for him. And it's not free Bob. It costs $39.99 as first cost then it's $19.99 per year. But as I said, it didn't work for my brother. The phone has dead spots, and cuts out all the time. I wouldn't buy one.

Thanks

You're welcome!!

If you need more information Have a look here http://www.dslreports.com/forum/magicjack

FWIW--VDr thread from about six months ago.
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...ight=MagicJack

I have been using "Magic Jack" for about 9 Months now and the ONLY phone line I use in the house. I did find you MUST have at the very least Internet speed of 2,100 Kbps for it to work well. I ran a line from my "Magic Jack" to the phone jack in the wall and can now use my phone any place in my home where there is a jack. Yes you get very few dropped calls when the Internet messes up, but you do get what you pay for. My friend next door uses one too and it has been for about 7 months and very happy with it. HIGH SPEED Internet is a MUST to have this work well! I am now using ATT DSL ONLY with 3,000 Kbps and a wireless router. One down fall is the area code may not be where you live, but they are updating this as fast as they can. Hope this helps any out there thinking of using it. I'm very happy and NOT going to a LAND LINE AGAIN......

An interesting report you have Skippy. I had not thought about experimenting in such a way. Gotta try it one day.
I am also using ATT DSL and have had no big issues with my use of MJack. I haven't had any dropped calls but I have, on occasion, had a clicking on the line. Nothing I can't deal with especially with "free" long distance calling. Once spent 2 hours with a friend on the other side of the country. NO long distance charges on my next month's billing from ATT. I was happy with that. IF you have someone you call long distance and that person is in your area calling code, he/she can call you back without either of you incurring long distance charges. I had a voice call recording once from a SIL without a charge to either of us. Lots of pluses, I think, in spending $20 per year for such a service----and it is portable; take it with you where ever you go. Same thing!! Oh, and I have been using the MJ for about 3 months.
Heck, don't take my word for it----or the word of others. Try it free for 30 days. Read the print in the offering ad.
Nope, I don't work for MJ. :D

EDIT: Forgot to also report: Users of MJ are at the mercy of the internet; if the internet has problems in staying "up", so will users of MJ.

Skippy202, can you explain how to do the quote line below that you had posted:

"I ran a line from my "Magic Jack" to the phone jack in the wall and can now use my phone any place in my home where there is a jack."

I ran a jumper from the "Magic Jack" and to the jack in the wall plug. You can run a splitter from the "Magic Jack to another phone near the computer, and the other end to the wall jack. Then if you have other wall jacks in the house you can plug a phone in them. BUT REMEMBR i DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER PHONE SERVICE. IF YOU HAVE ANOTHER PHONE SERVICE THIS WILL NOT WORK.

Thanks, Skippy. I will see how it goes.

Skippy202, I have another question about the magic jack. When you create a phone number, does it ask for your name that will associate your phone number that you create? What I am wondering is that if I would call someone that I do not know that well and I do not want him to know my full name or find out my address, would my name and phone number come up on his caller ID like it would on a landline phone?

If anyone else uses the magic jack and knows the answer to my question, I would appreciate a reply. Thanks

sufbug, I have just reviewed the questions and answers on the subject of MagicJack and your particular question in your initial post. Yes, you can call her for free (and any where is the U.S. and Canada) and IF she is in the same area code, she can call you for free; including the use of Voice Mail for messages from her or others. Just give her the phone # you were given when you installed MJack.
Good luck.

JLS, didn't regular landline phones have a provision for entering a code # before dialing such a person as you describe and the code # blocks his ability to see your number; etc. I seem to recall using that many years ago. If this is still available---and a freebee then I would think MJ has it also. Ask MJ in an email if you don't see it in their forum. Good luck.

I have had MJ since Oct 2008. I am currently working in the Middle East and love my MJ. I call my wife and kids at least 2 times a day. But, since the MJ conducted an "Upgrade" about 1 1/2 months ago, I can no longer use my cordless phone to dial numbers. The phone is working (I've tried 2 different ones) but the MJ does not pick up the numbers. I have to use my cpu MJ softpad to dial numbers. Has anyone else come across this issue? My friend here also has a MJ and his is doing the same thing. A corded phone works fine dialing from it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I continue using a cordless phone without any problems. I would inquire of MJ as what they can do for you. Good luck.
I have just re-read your post for clarity. You and your friend could have some problem using a cordless from the area you are working in. Don't know that would be an answer and is only a guess.

Thank you buf. I have contacted MJ using the online help chat. They had me try a few differnt things but to no avail. At least I can still use it with a cordless using the softpad. I can't complain too much. I get to talk to everyone at home anytime I want for $20 a year. I love my MJ.

For all the magic jack users out there, when you sign up and create an account and phone number, can you type in a name like John Smith so that would be the name that would pop up on others caller id displays when calling them instead of having someone see your real name if you prefer them not to see it?

JLS: I purchased 2 MJ and both do not show any name on caller ID, only the number. Since I am in a Middle East country where VoIP is technically illegal, I did not conduct the set-up, my wife did, stateside. She stated that all you do is choose the number you wish to use. You will go through a set up process for the MJ when you recieve it and register it on-line with your name but it does not place a name to the number (at least not to ours). I hope this helps you.

JMeyers620, thanks for the feedback. I am glad that it only lists the phone number and not the name. I am going to buy a magic jack and will let you know how I made out.

JLS: I am sure you will love your MJ. I could not be happier. It does have it's little glitches here and there. It will drop calls once in a while and like my issue with the cordless phones. It's bound to happen. But for only $20 a year? You can't beat that. Especially when you are over 7,000 miles away from your wife and kids. Let me tell you, the alternatives are much more expensive. Good Luck.

911 emergency support is an issue with all VOIP services.

1. You (or your service provider) must notify the 911 center for your location of your phone number. Some delay in updating the 911 data base is normal.

2. The phone number follows you to new locations when you travel or move. Neither your service provider nor 911 center is aware when you move and an emergency call will be routed to your old address' 911 center and responders will be sent to your old address.

3. Some 911 centers may have a problem with VOIP calls. I have my doubts that the concerns are real but I'm not willing to bet my life on it.

Personally, I would not use VOIP as my only phone service.

I do not use VOIP myself but do know several users of Vonage (in one case for several years). They report very few problems but it is more expensive than MJ.

No 911 problems with the MJ. If you properly set up MJ, your address and 911will show.

Unless they use ESP it doesn't know when you move.

I just bought the magic jack and the system requirements say that it's only good for XP, Vista, and mac users? I have win 2k pro. :( I guess there is no way I can use the magic jack?

If they knew it would work on Windows 2000, I'd almost be willing to bet they'd be advertising that fact. :)

JLS-- Since you already bought it, did you try it? Or try sending it back for a refund without opening it. That should get a response from MJ.

Welshjim, I bought it from Radioshack and returned it before I opened it.

I just read somewhere on the net that someone uses magicjack with his voip adapter called Linksys PAP2. He said he doesn't even have to have his computer on or have the magicjack plugged in. He just plugs the phone into the linksys PAP2. With this setup, do you think I could use it with win 2k pro if I buy the linksys PAP2?

Does anyone use the Linksys PAP2 and know if this unit has whatever is needed in winXP that win 2k pro does not have that the magicjack needs for it to work? It looks like I could use it with this unit using win 2k?

I have a MJ . It works ok on one PC but not so good on the other PC .. I believe if you have a good usb port support ( power ) and the right internet speed it should be ok .

PAP2s are available for Vonage and AT&T VOIP services. Recent models are "locked" to one of those VOIP vendors. You will need an "unlocked" version. However, Magic Jack customer service says none (from any vendor) will work with MJ. Couldn't get any help from Linksys.

I give MJ customer service high marks. I quickly got to talk via IMs with a real person. However, I'm not certain she really knew the answer. If you can find an adapter that is not bundled with Vonage or AT&T and the seller will accept returns it might be worth buying one to test.

This is from MJ's web site (bold face is my addition):

Quote:

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LIMITATIONS ON ACCESS TO E911 SERVICES

1) You should consider maintaining an alternate means of contacting E911 services. The magicJack E911 service differs from traditional E911 service. You understand and acknowledge that you should consider having an alternate means of contacting E911 services and inform your magicJack" device users of this.

2) magicJack emergency services may not operate during a power outage. You understand and acknowledge that you may not be able to use your magicJack" device to contact E911 services if your power is disrupted. Once power service is restored, you may be required to reset or reconfigure your Internet service before you will be able to use it to contact E911 services. You are responsible for providing an uninterruptible backup power supply to ensure continued operation of electrical equipment, including customer premises equipment necessary to provide Internet service, in the event of a power outage.

3) magicJack E911 services will not operate if your broadband connection is disrupted. You understand and acknowledge that you will not be able to use your magicJack" device to contact E911 services if your broadband connection is disrupted. Once your broadband connection has been restored, you may be required to reset or reconfigure your Internet equipment before you will be able to use the magicJack" device to contact E911 services.

4) magicJack E911 services will not operate unless you register your correct service address with magicJack. You understand and acknowledge that you must provide magicJack with your correct service address in order for E911 services to work. If you notice that the location information identified in your 911 registration section of the magicJack menu is inaccurate, you can correct your service address by going to the magicJack menu and selecting E911.

5) magicJack E911 services will not operate correctly if you disable, damage or move the magicJack" device to another location. If you disable, damage or move the magicJack" device to a location other than the service address you provided when it was registered, it will not function. If you wish to move to a new address, go to the magicJack menu and select the E911 option.

6) magicJack E911 service will not operate outside of the United States and Canada.

7) magicJack is only able to provide E911 service in cities and towns where the local Public Safety Answering Point, or PSAP, is technically capable of receiving your address information with your E911 call. If the PSAP that serves your area is not equipped to receive your magicJack registered address, you will need to provide the 911 operator with your address information orally.

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These limitations apply to all VOIP providers, not just MJ. But users must understand that there are limitations. As I said in previous post, I wouldn't take the chance. If there are small children in your home please don't rely on VOIP 911 service.

I had my doubts about MJ and have spent considerable time researching the service. First impressions:

1) Most customers are very satisfied with quality of phone service

2) There are too many billing problems. Check your statements carefully

3) Order via their web site. DO NOT use the phone order advertised on TV (too many cases of "added" services not ordered and refunds refused)

4) If you can't get satisfaction from Customer Service send an email to:

dan "at" magicjack.com (use an ampersand of course - changed to confuse spam address harvesters)

Supposedly he invented magicjack. I don't know if that is true but the emails seem to get results

Like I said in previous post, I read somewhere on another site that someone uses his magicjack with the linksys pap2 (assuming the unlocked version) and he doesn't even have the magicjack plugged in at all and does not even have to have his computer turned on. He said that he just has his phone plugged directly into the pap2 and said it works great. So, that is why I thought I could get away with having win 2k pro and not win xp like magicjack's sys requirements state since he uses it and doesn't have have his computer turned on.

The unlocked versions are PAP2-NA and its replacement the PAP2T-NA (twice the memory and simpler configuration but you may find a real bargain on the PAP2-NA).

The phone(s) (there are 2 jacks) plug into the PAP2 which plugs into your router or gateway. So far as I can determine, the computer need not be on and it will work with any VOIP service.

But this is info I found on the net, not personal experience, and MJ says it wont work so beware. What you described matches the PAP2 specs so my guess is it will work with MJ. Good luck and let us know the results if you try it.

Since I just recently upgraded to win xp pro, I was considering on trying out the magicjack. I heard that you can connect your phone to a linksys pap2t-na without even connecting the magicjack unit and still take advantage of what magicjack offers.

Then, I just came across this about magicjack:
Here things get tricky when assessing MagicJack as a product. There are MagicJack customers who love the product. There are also a significant number who consider the company akin to a scam. The complains of the latter group fit into three basic categories:

Privacy issues. The MagicJack software displays ads on your computer (which is a major reason why their service is so cheap). And their Terms Of Service states: Our computers may analyze the phone numbers . . . you call in order to improve the relevance of the ads. We do not provide any personal information to our advertisers or third parties. Despite that promise not to share personal information some people feel that the number of telemarketing calls they receive goes up after signing up with MagicJack. Others (including yours truly) are simply uncomfortable with a company collecting data on personal phone calls. (Click here to read MagicJack’s CEO response to this criticism)

Once you install the MagicJack software there’s no easy way to uninstall it, especially from Windows where a manual uninstall process involves editing your computer’s registry. It has been left to a group of enterprising individuals to create an unofficial (and very anti-MagicJack) online uninstall guide. Further, this software slows some computers even when MagicJack is not in use.


After reading the above, I am leary on giving it a try. If anyone uses magicjack or gave it a try, I would like to hear any feedback on magicjack.

JLS--No new posts here since the ones you already participated in around the start of 2009
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...ight=magicjack

Sorry, welshjim. I forgot about that. How can I forward my post to that other thread?

Done.