You may not see it that often these days, but not long ago it was impossible to turn on the TV after 10 p.m. force. With the increasing ubiquity of smartphones, many people don’t even have a phone at home anymore, but MagicJack is still around and offers more now than ever before. Worth seeing? Read on to find out.
What is Magic Jack?
MagicJack is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service provider that has been around since 2007. It basically provides the same services as your home phone, but it uses your Internet connection instead of an actual phone line. The service went beyond the simple home phone alternative you started with, allowing you to make calls on the go and even ring your home phone on your smartphone. The company has also shed its initially dubious image, swapping dubious marketing tactics for an increasingly solid product.
How does it work?
The original MagicJack plugged into your computer’s USB port and connected to your Internet connection. A standard phone jack on the other side of the device allows you to plug in the phone of your choice and make calls. It was a simple solution, but it required you to leave your computer on all day and all night, assuming you wanted to receive calls at any time.
In 2011, the company introduced MagicJack Plus. This can still be connected to your computer, but it also includes an Ethernet connection, allowing you to connect directly to your cable modem or router, meaning you no longer have to leave your computer on at all times to make and receive calls. MagicJack Plus also boasts drastically improved call quality, partly because it could connect directly to the router, but also due to improved internal hardware. In 2014, a second smaller version of MagicJack Plus was released, followed by the even smaller MagicJack Go.
Today, MagicJack offers two main options, a product and an enhanced service. They are:
Home Magic Jack: MagicJackHome is the only VoIP adapter that MagicJack currently offers. This adapter plugs into a USB-A port on your computer to provide a VOIP connection that can transfer your old phone number so you don’t have to change your contact information. Thanks to the included MagicApp, you don’t necessarily need a computer to use it. Includes free caller ID, call waiting, voice mail, conference calls, directory and free calls between MacicJack users, as well as free local and long distance calls.
MagicApp: It is the MagicJack service, but available as an app on your mobile phone. This app is designed to support calls and texts (limited texts to any US number), but will not use your carrier’s minutes when operational. It can also work with features on your phone, such as your contact list, and is compatible with voicemail.
MagicJack Concierge: Concierge is an extended service aimed specifically at more professional VoIP users: small businesses that may want MagicJack capabilities rather than a full VoIP solution. This comes with two additional features. First, you get access to expert support staff available via phone calls (something lower-level users don’t have). Second, you get discounts on all new devices if you need to replace your MagicJack device in the future.
How much does it cost?
MagicJackHome is available for $39.99 to $59.99. Prices vary based on current sales and where you shop. After ordering, you have 30 days to return it for free if you don’t like it. The purchase includes 12 months of free service. Renewal for another year of service costs $39. The MagicJack app is completely free to download and use during this time.
Additional MagicJack Concierge for additional support costs $14.99 per year. There is no additional charge or discount for these additional features.
These prices compare favorably with the prices of other VoIP services, especially for small businesses and home businesses; as long as you don’t need other features or call handling capabilities.
How useful is MagicJack really?
It may have been a gimmick when it started, but since the introduction of MagicJack Plus, overall it’s been a solid service. While its primary use is as a replacement for a home phone, it also offers a number of features that can be useful to anyone, even if you haven’t had a home phone in years.
One of the main purposes is international calls. As shown above, the price isn’t bad, but if you have people in other countries who you call a lot, it might be a good idea to use MagicJack, as calls to other MagicJack users are free, even abroad. This also applies to MagicApp, so even if you don’t want to buy any specialized hardware, you can still use the app on the phone of your choice.
In fact, MagicApp might just be the secret weapon in MagicJack’s arsenal. The app not only offers unlimited texting – great if you’re on a limited cell phone plan – but also makes free Wi-Fi calling. Yes, carriers like T-Mobile and Sprint offer Wi-Fi calling that won’t eat up your minutes, but if your carrier or phone doesn’t support it, MagicApp could be a great way to save money on your plan.
How is the call quality?
Call quality depends on a number of factors, but has generally improved with each generation of hardware. From MagicJack Plus to MagicJackHome, the quality is much better than at the beginning.
If you can stream Netflix, your connection is probably fast enough to use MagicJack.
There are two main factors that affect quality. The first is whether you are connected to a computer or directly to a modem or router. The latter seems to improve the quality a lot. Another factor is your Internet connection. If you can stream Netflix or other video services without interruption, your connection is probably fast enough to use MagicJack without issue. If you are having trouble loading web pages, the call quality will be poor.
The actual phone you use will also affect call quality. Using a cordless phone, for example, will have the same problems that these landline phones have. We’ll also note that MagicJack previously reported that the service is limited in “high-cost areas,” which essentially means the service won’t be as reliable in rural areas.
Who is MagicJack for?
The most direct answer to this question requires, first of all, another question. Ask yourself: Do you have a phone line at home? If your answer is yes, then MagicJack is definitely worth your careful consideration. You’re unlikely to find a more affordable alternative, especially if you call frequently from your home phone line.
MagicJack is also a great option if you regularly make international calls. Although these are not covered by the basic annual fee, the prices are still among the lowest you will find. If you’ve been thinking about connecting a landline phone for a long time, perhaps for your home office, you’ll soon discover that MagicJack is much cheaper than any other option. They even have a separate special offer for businesses, though that’s not really within the scope of this article.
You can also choose from a variety of other available options. These include companies like Vonage, which is the best-known VoIP offering available, but is also significantly more expensive than MagicJack, starting at $10 per month. Skype is another alternative, now offering end-to-end encryption. However, this is a completely different product, intended for other people. If you’re looking for a solution to reduce your parents’ home phone payments, chances are Skype won’t accept it. However, if you’re not entirely sure which option might be the most reliable for you, we encourage you to read our list of the best VoIP providers.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn