If you don’t read Engadget or other gadget reviews websites you might find this helpful.
Here is how you could save a few hundred dollars per year on your home phone bill. It is called MagicJack, a VOIP service that requires a computer (PC or Mac) and an internet connection to provide extremely cheap local and long distance phone calls using a very small device that looks like a disk on key.
To get started you need to sign up for the free trail on the company’s website (or you could buy it at RadioShack). Once you have the device, simply plug it into the PC/Mac USB port and connect a regular phone to the jack on the other side (as in the photo below). Once plugged, your computer will automatically start running the dialer software and take you through a simple sign-up process, where you will be asked to select a phone number (currently they don’t support number portability). That’s it.
The service costs only $20 per year (no taxes, tolls and other hidden fees). The device itself costs $20 so your first payment (after the 30 days free trial is over) will actually be $40, but any subsequent year will be $20. And if you really want a great deal and lock the price for the next few years, you can prepay $60 for 5 years. That’s a pretty sweet alternative to AT&T’s $45/month + tolls and taxes, or Vonage’s $25/month.
Couple of side benefits some people might not be aware of:
- MagicJack makes your home home phone portable while you are traveling (assuming you travel with a laptop).
- MagicJack gives you other features for free including call forwarding, voice mail and voicemail to email as attachment notifications
- If you have relatives/friends who live abroad (like I do) and you & them spend a decent amount of money every month on international calls, you might want to buy a MagicJack for them. This way they will have a US number and all calls done between them and you will be completely free.
I have been using it for a few weeks now and very happy with the overall experience. The call quality is excellent. Rarely I had any echos problem and disconnects. And when those happen, I simply unplug the device from the USB port, reconnect and restart the dialer program. This “hassle” is worth $550/year in savings.
9:10 AM 7/22/2009
Just to let you know, I believe these Magic Jack people are crooks and by association you are also. I purchased a Magic Jack some time ago. It didn't work. I contacted the company to return it, They gave me a hard time but eventually agreed to take it back. I returned it as directed and followed up with e-mail to confirm they received it. Even though they confirmed that they got it back they never refunded my money. I have been unable to find a local entity that I can sue for my money back. They just flat stole my money. You should tell the people you are spamming that the same thing will probably happen to them. Unless you do your a liar and a thief just like the Magic Jack company.
Just so it is clear to you and to everyone else who reads this post. I am
not associated with the company and I am not getting any incentive for
writing my own personal experience with the product. I simply posted a tip
to the readers of my blog about a product/service that I find useful.
And how exactly did I spam you? Have you ever received an email from me?
why doesnt my caller id work? I'm using it on a brand new imac
If you are having voice quality issues all you need to do is buy a USB port with an adapter. It takes lots of energy from the computer to make a call so when you have a powered usb you don't have to worry about the computers usage. You can buy one for under 7 bucks at EFORCITY.com
curious if you ever found a better dialer for the magic jack for a mac computer. Particularly one that integrates the address book.
I'll post the same information to my blog, thanks for ideas and great article.