Issue date: 11/3/09 Section: Features

Media Credit: Evan Andrews [Click to enlarge]

We live in a technologically advanced society that thrives on wireless communication; senders can get their message across to recipients through a myriad of means including instant messaging, e-mail, Facebook or the ever-popular cell phone. While most students in college have a cell phone plan paid for by the "Parents Credit Union," it's good to know there are other cheaper alternatives for those not as fortunate. One such option is the "magicJack" that allows you to make telephone calls from any computer with an Internet connection for a low yearly price. However, the practicality of purchasing the magicJack for a typical college student can be questioned, especially when you consider some of the features of its main competitor, Skype.

The magicJack is a small, portable device that plugs into a USB port and connects to any landline phone. The process of setting up the software may vary across different operating systems--- some may install the client as soon as you plug in the magicJack while others may require you to visit magicJack's Web site-- but installation is relatively easy and takes a few minutes at most. After installing the software, you'll register your account and have the option to be assigned a phone number or pay extra money to customize your phone number (916-CALL-TURK, anyone?). While that feature will appeal to some, you'll find registration also includes numerous other offers including extending your phone contract by five years, magicJack insurance, upgrading your service and another chance (in case you missed the first two) to extend your phone contract. It honestly feels like dealing with pop-up ads or a relentless salesman. Fortunately, when registration ends, you'll only be reminded to upgrade via a large banner on the left side of the program's interface.

After installing and registering, you have free reign over your new telephone number and the magicJack features. Calling a number from the magicjack is as simple as picking up your phone and dialing, and the sound quality is comparable to that of a cell phone, if not better than one. You're allowed to save phone numbers in a contact list for speed dial and information storage, which eliminates the pesky memorization factor regarding phone numbers and e-mails. Voicemail is supported and customizable, and you can listen to your messages by calling your own number and entering your pass code, or you can have messages sent to your e-mail in .wav format, which is one of the cooler and more convenient features of the service. MagicJack will cease to function if you turn your computer off, but voicemail can still be functional. Other features include caller ID, call waiting, directory assistance and free magicJack to magicJack calls.

The magicJack will set you back $39.95 and includes one year of free local US/Canada service and out of country calling to US/Canada. Buying an additional year of the same service will cost you $19.95, but that rate can be reduced by purchasing more years of service at once. The rate trumps Skype's calling rate of $30 per year, but there's no question that Skype's features trump that of magicJack- aside from standard phone incompatibility- when you consider Skype can forward calls to your cell phone, send SMS messages, record calls and make video calls in addition to the features of its IM client such as messaging and screen sharing. That being said, if you're trying to save the most money possible, you can always combine the free feature-heavy Skype client that includes all the IM and file sharing features with the cheaper magicJack phone client.

Ultimately, the magicJack does everything it advertises very well. If you're solely interested in a cheaper phone contract with basic features, magicJack will be your least expensive option. However, if you have a cell phone, you'll find that any VoIP phone service is largely unnecessary unless you plan on studying abroad. If you find yourself intrigued, you can pick up a free 30-day trial at www.magicjack.com.

magicJack Features:
$39.95 per year
Local US/Canada service and out of country calling to US/Canada
Plugs into USB port
Connects to any landline phone



Anthony Gerhart is a sophomore computer science major

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools