Free phone calls all year long w/ the Magic Jack

Last weekend I helped one of my family members to setup his home network and he was nice enough to hook me up with a MagicJack.

The Magic Jack is a little usb device that attaches to your computer and uses your broadband internet connection allowing you to make free phone calls using a regular phone. The technology behind this is the same as using other voice over IP services like Skype, Vonage, etc.

To set it up it was really simple, there is no CDs or software to install. I just plugged it into my laptop's usb port, and waited while the autorun feature on the device mounted itself and launched the application. I filled out couple of questions (name, address, email, etc).  Then I was asked for an area code for the number I was going to get and last but not least I had to verify my email address in order to activate the service. 

I started talking to colleagues about the device so I brought it with me to the office. I plugged the MagicJack in my computer at work and I was able to use my number and call anyone in no time. This means you can take the device with you anywhere in the world and as long as you have internet connection, you will be able to make free phone calls. This actually gave me a really good idea which many others are currently doing, I will buy couple of these devices and activate them in the states, then ship them to the Dominican Republic so my family members can call me for free anytime they want... No more calling cards!

Pros:

• Call quality is impressive, sometimes I even forget I'm talking through the Magic Jack.
• Cheap!!! Only $29 to buy the device and it includes one year of service, free voice mail, free call waiting. Then after the first year, it's only $20 a year going forward.
• Easy to use, just plug and play. Not like many others were you do plug and pray! :)
• *** You can use the Magic Jack without the device plugged into the computer, but requires a little bit of hacking*** :-)

Cons:

• Must use a computer in order to make and receive phone calls
• Must have a broadband connection
• Can't really use the jack to send/receive faxes, but according to forums it's possible depending on specific settings.

Would I recommend the Magic Jack? Yes absolutely!