Magic Jack

highseas · 12-06-2009, 16:07

I just ordered my new magic jack wifi usb telephone adapter for $40. (Can.$)Sounds too good to be true,but I hear it works.Can't wait to dump the cellphone.Anybody else using one of these yet?So hot,hardly anyone knows about them at this point.

Cheechako · 12-06-2009, 16:14

Tell us more......

**TaoJones** · 12-06-2009, 16:19

I bought one after reading a story in the Washington Post last fall. I agree, it sounds too good to be true, and in my case it was. The problem: PCs only, it won't work on a Mac. Nowhere on their website do they even hint at this compatibility issue. It is one of those deals where you have to get their permission to send something back first, and get some kind of code. If you just return it without the code, it will be refused and you will get it back.

The only good news, for me, was that I got the code for a return (which was very time-consuming), returned the Magic Jack within the small window where it was allowed, and received a full refund on my American Express account (IIRC). I hope you have a PC, highseas.

TaoJones

highseas · 12-06-2009, 16:23

Its a $20.US,usb adapter to make phone calls with,plug it in,dial anywhere for free.(Wifi signal necessary)You get a U.S. phone #,(some eastern Canada area codes now available).For outgoing it doesn't matter what your # is.Incoming calls are also free.You can plug a regular phone in or use the softpad on your laptop with headset and microphone.Thats it!Then its only $20. per year.It says it only works on XP or Vista.

Cheechako · 12-06-2009, 16:25

I thought everyone had a PC...? ;>) (ohh how I love to antagonize Mac users...)

**TaoJones** · 12-06-2009, 16:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako

I thought everyone had a PC...? ;>) (ohh how I love to antagonize Mac users...)

Heh! I do have a PC, Cheech - gathering dust because it quit working. So I got a MacBook . . . I'll never go back to a POS PC.

TaoJones

idpnd · 12-06-2009, 17:15

there is a wide range of VOIP providers and technical solutions out there to achieve the exact result the poster is describing on any platform, be it mac, linux or even pda.. have a google around.. even skype would do a similar job (external/wireless headsets for all types of computers).

scotte · 12-06-2009, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako

I thought everyone had a PC...? ;>) (ohh how I love to antagonize Mac users...)

Well sure... I have a PC, too. It's not running Windows though... Nor is it a Mac...

drew.ward · 13-06-2009, 06:51

On their website they are saying the new software is fully Mac supported now. That is a horrible website though lol.

**TaoJones** · 13-06-2009, 07:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew.ward

On their website they are saying the new software is fully Mac supported now. That is a horrible website though lol.

I wouldn't even care, now. Dealing with them was so aggravating, they've lost me forever. Anyway, as others have written, there are many other VoIP options today.

TaoJones

scook1 · 13-06-2009, 08:05

Still it sounds like a cool technology.
Spencer

speciald@ocens. · 13-06-2009, 08:32

I use Skype with a phone adapter plugged into a wireless phone in my place in St. Maarten.works great. I'll get a Skype-in number when I return this Fall. With this setup you can use land line and Skype from same phone with multiple handsets.

speciald@ocens. · 13-06-2009, 09:16

A few more details on above post - I bought a D-link 50-U but use Atcom AU-600 drivers which support XP update 3 and Vista. The D-link is available on the net for 10-20 bucks.

VERTIGO · 13-06-2009, 12:01

I had a recent (2 months) PCS to Okinawa Japn and bought the SKYPE before I knew about the Magic Jack. Bought the Magic Jack, I will never use anything else, Stateside #, voice mail, caller ID, call waiting. Love this thing, $20 a year..... Calls are perfect, pick up the phone and you have a dial tone. If anyone wants to buy 2 new Skype Phones, hit me up.

Janice · 23-06-2009, 14:13

Does this work in the caribbean?

The web site states in the 'USA and Canada' so I wonder if anyone has tried it from the islands?

12-06-2009, 16:07	#1
highseas Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Whistler B.C.,Canada,sailing the Pacific. Boat: 1979 Hughes 38 Mk II sloop/cutter designed by S&S Posts: 284 Images: 16	Magic Jack I just ordered my new magic jack wifi usb telephone adapter for $40. (Can.$)Sounds too good to be true,but I hear it works.Can't wait to dump the cellphone.Anybody else using one of these yet?So hot,hardly anyone knows about them at this point.

12-06-2009, 16:19	#3
TaoJones Moderator Moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles sobre El Río Porciuncula, Alta California Posts: 3,435	I bought one after reading a story in the Washington Post last fall. I agree, it sounds too good to be true, and in my case it was. The problem: PCs only, it won't work on a Mac. Nowhere on their website do they even hint at this compatibility issue. It is one of those deals where you have to get their permission to send something back first, and get some kind of code. If you just return it without the code, it will be refused and you will get it back. The only good news, for me, was that I got the code for a return (which was very time-consuming), returned the Magic Jack within the small window where it was allowed, and received a full refund on my American Express account (IIRC). I hope you have a PC, highseas. TaoJones __________________ "Your vision becomes clear only when you look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks within, awakens." Carl Gustav Jung (1875-1961) Last edited by TaoJones; 12-06-2009 at 16:34.

13-06-2009, 06:51	#9
drew.ward Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Melbourne, FL Boat: Nomoboat -- yay Gustav ;) Posts: 240	On their website they are saying the new software is fully Mac supported now. That is a horrible website though lol. __________________

13-06-2009, 12:01	#14
VERTIGO Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Japan Boat: SEA DOO, 230 Challenger 23 Posts: 75	Magic Jack I had a recent (2 months) PCS to Okinawa Japn and bought the SKYPE before I knew about the Magic Jack. Bought the Magic Jack, I will never use anything else, Stateside #, voice mail, caller ID, call waiting. Love this thing, $20 a year..... Calls are perfect, pick up the phone and you have a dial tone. If anyone wants to buy 2 new Skype Phones, hit me up.

23-06-2009, 14:13	#15
Janice Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Preparing for extended cruise Boat: Tayana 37 Posts: 73 Images: 3	Does this work in the caribbean? The web site states in the 'USA and Canada' so I wonder if anyone has tried it from the islands? __________________ Janice www.sailacious.com

12-06-2009, 16:14	#2
Cheechako Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Skagit City, WA Boat: Fellippi 32 Posts: 2,205	Tell us more......

12-06-2009, 16:23	#4
highseas Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Whistler B.C.,Canada,sailing the Pacific. Boat: 1979 Hughes 38 Mk II sloop/cutter designed by S&S Posts: 284 Images: 16	Its a $20.US,usb adapter to make phone calls with,plug it in,dial anywhere for free.(Wifi signal necessary)You get a U.S. phone #,(some eastern Canada area codes now available).For outgoing it doesn't matter what your # is.Incoming calls are also free.You can plug a regular phone in or use the softpad on your laptop with headset and microphone.Thats it!Then its only $20. per year.It says it only works on XP or Vista.

12-06-2009, 16:25	#5
Cheechako Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Skagit City, WA Boat: Fellippi 32 Posts: 2,205	I thought everyone had a PC...? ;>) (ohh how I love to antagonize Mac users...)

12-06-2009, 17:15	#7
idpnd Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Belgium Boat: Chiquita 46 - Libertalia Posts: 288	there is a wide range of VOIP providers and technical solutions out there to achieve the exact result the poster is describing on any platform, be it mac, linux or even pda.. have a google around.. even skype would do a similar job (external/wireless headsets for all types of computers).

13-06-2009, 08:05	#11
scook1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Boat: McGregor venture 15 "IMP" Posts: 58	Still it sounds like a cool technology. Spencer

13-06-2009, 08:32	#12
speciald@ocens. Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: On the boat - Carib, Chesapeake Boat: 58 Taswell AS Posts: 407	I use Skype with a phone adapter plugged into a wireless phone in my place in St. Maarten.works great. I'll get a Skype-in number when I return this Fall. With this setup you can use land line and Skype from same phone with multiple handsets.

13-06-2009, 09:16	#13
speciald@ocens. Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: On the boat - Carib, Chesapeake Boat: 58 Taswell AS Posts: 407	A few more details on above post - I bought a D-link 50-U but use Atcom AU-600 drivers which support XP update 3 and Vista. The D-link is available on the net for 10-20 bucks.

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