50 replies to this topic

[Daniel]

It appears Magicjack VoIP telephone service may be a good fit for those living in Tijuana.

According to its advertisements, you get a U.S. phone number for incoming and outgoing phone calls. A computer running either Windows or Mac OS with a USB port, a regular (RJ-11) telephone handset, and access to a broadband Internet connection is supposed to be all that is needed to use Magicjack.

The Magicjack device sells for $40.00, including a one-year subscription for unlimited local and long distance U.S. telephone calls. Currently renewal telephone service costs $20.00 per year. Supposedly Magicjack can be used anywhere in the world.

Magicjack has some good reviews. Including a 1-17-08 PC Magazine Editor’s Choice award.

If anybody has any "hands on" experience with Magicjack I'd appreciate a review. Thanks.

[zunigan]

I have never heard of it. I did read the web site. So if I am reading this right if I have one here in Mexico I can call to the us for free? And use it in the us to call Mexico free also? So if I had two one here and one there all my calls would cost nothing? Am I reading this right?

[zunigan]

One more question. Do you have to change your internet provider to use it? Do they require you use theirs?

[Scooby]

Hey thanks. This looks interesting. Finally Skype may have a decent competitor.

I am a little wary of any VoIP needing to use USB plug/port
since my experience is that I frequently had to be tinkering with various sound settings. They conflicted with the needs of other programs (I think...) such as YouTube, several media players for listening to music files or radio programs (live or otherwise).

Here is their FAQ page: http://www.magicjack.com/1/faq.aspx

And here is a couple questions answered from there:

What is the difference between magicJack and Skype?
* magicJack is an easy-to-use device that allows you to use a regular telephone handset to make calls. Skype is a software program, and accessories must be purchase separately.
* Skype must be installed on your computer, whereas magicJack's software runs automatically.
* Skype uses a peer-to-peer network, whereas magicJack uses a dedicated telephone network.


What is the difference between magicJack and traditional VOIP carriers?
* many other VoIP carriers do not have dedicated telephone networks, and lease this service from other companies. This can result in higher costs and poorer reliability. magicJack uses a dedicated telephone network.
* magicJack comes with an easy-to-use device to allow you to use a regular telephone handset.

I need to look into this further. Could be a good deal.

[galvezis]

I saw an info mercial on this...I was totally convinced!!! The device seems great since all you have to do is buy the device and your done for a year...no more monthly payments!!! The only thing I dislike is that to make a call to a Mex number u need to buy seperate minutes...

[BajaGringo]

I have also heard of the service but don't know anybody actually using it. Would like to hear from somebody with experience with it because it does look interesting. I was thinking of trying it to use as a mobile 2nd line...

[zunigan]

Ok I am on my 30 day free trial and so far so good. We have used it to call the usa all weekend. It installs in minutes, gives you a phone number and thats it. You plug it in and plug the line into to and into the phone and thats it. You hear a dial tone and you call.

[Pieancho]

How does this compare to Packet8 or Vonage?

I have Packet 8 and for $26 per month I have kept my old US phone number, and make toll free calls to anywhere in the US for free, but Mexico tolls are at $.07 per min.

I have it connected to my Telmex DSL and when I travel I can connect the box into any other DSL or cable modem and get my calls. On trips though, I also need to take a phone to plug into my Packet8 box. which is about 6 x 4 x 1 inches.

I have never had any problem with service.

[zunigan]

I don't know much about either of the services you are talking about. Magic Jack is 39.95 and comes with a 30 day free trial. They charge you after the 30 days are up or you send it back. Its the size of a lighter and it fits intot he usb hub on the computer. You then put the phone line into it. After the first year it is 19.95 per year to use it. You must buy minutes to call into Mexico. Most were 3 cents to 9 cents. But all calls no matter where you are to the usa are free. They give you a number with the area code you choose. Anyone can call you on that number. The catch is your computer must be on to send or recieve calls and you need an internet service. Dish, Direct tv and those kinds of service does not work with this as yet.

[Chiquito]

As the computer I'm more inclined to leave on all the time is a Linux server, does anyone know if it works with that?

(I could look on their webpage but I'm pissed off at my company and a bit drunk and just don't feel like it. Maybe later.)

[BajaGringo]

I don't believe it is dependent on your operating system - just that high speed internet is available...

[Chiquito]

"I don't believe it is dependent on your operating system"

Then there is no software or driver to install?

[BajaGringo]

I was told that this system uses firmware on the unit itself and only needs access to the internet. Who actually uses it here that can confirm this???

[Chiquito]

Per their website it works on Windoze XP, Windoze Vista, and Mac Intel machines. The driver is built in but there is an .exe patch for some Windows systems.

[BajaGringo]

aahhhhhhhh.... OK

[zunigan]

I use it all the time while in Tijuana. So far no charges on my account. Now if I can just teach my husband how to use it!!! First I need to teach him how to turn the computer on!

[galvezis]

I use it all the time while in Tijuana. So far no charges on my account. Now if I can just teach my husband how to use it!!! First I need to teach him how to turn the computer on!

Exactly! That's the only drawback of this new gadget---your pc needs to be ON all the time!

[BajaGringo]

I think it would make a great tool to have a number you could take with you on the road hooked up to your notebook...

[Miggiesmallz- TEXMEX]

I use it all the time while in Tijuana. So far no charges on my account. Now if I can just teach my husband how to use it!!! First I need to teach him how to turn the computer on!

Keep us posted Zunigan. I may be interested in this service. I like my Verizon North American Plan, but living in Playas in a 3 story apartment not to far from the border fence, my cel phone sometimes picks up cel signals from the US which are weak, resulting in several dropped calls. Hoewever, when it picks up a mexican cel tower the signal is always good and the call never drops. But I never know which signal I am going to get...

[Daniel]

I now have some experience with Magicjack. So far it's positive. As I understand things, Magicjack doesn't work with Linux; only with Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Apple OS.