Magic Jack
Ξ November 24th, 2008 | → | ∇ Blog |
I’ve mentioned that I was getting magicjack. I in fact got three of them (though I’m only using one at this moment). I got it because I’m moving (twice) and don’t want to change my phone number every single time I move somewhere. So, with luck, this will be the last time I have to change phone numbers. I got three of them because I figured that I would attache one for my resume and send recruiters to that one (I have a lot of recruiters that call). Use one for family and friends, and the last one I figured would be used for business or something (undetermined at this point).
I’ve attached the family / friends one at this point. I’ve selected a 718 area code since most of the family and friends are in Queens (though I could select a different area code if I wanted. Each of the magicjacks can have its own phone number and area code). The instructions say that you need to hook the magicjack directly to your computer, but I found that if I use a USB hub that has an AC addapter, it powers the devices just fine.
Configuration is simple. The first time the device is plugged in, it walks you through the configuration process. The one caviot is that your computer has to not only remain turned on, but you must be logged in. We currently have this working at home on Rosie’s Windows XP computer. We’ve attached a telephone with an answering machine. If there was no answering machine, Magicjack would take a message and email me the voice message in the form of a wav or avi file that I could listen to on my computer.
As the television ad said, it’s $20 a year after your first year (you have to pay for the device so your yearly cost in your first year is $20 plus the cost of the usb device). There have been no hidden costs as far as I can tell. The service is the same as with any other telephone. You pick up the phone and you dial. In general I give this product a thumbs up. If I were to change something though, I’d say that if my computer was disconnected, it would be nice if Magicjack activated my message service. Other then that, its a great product.
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