MagicJack

*www.magicjack.com*

USB VOIP Dongles have been around for several years, usually they are just a simple 'external sound card' circuit that launches a lightweight application upon which you enter some simple setup info. This one is a step different in that respect in that it is auto provisioned by its provider.

In the recent past, several VOIP companies have experimented with this kind of device but don't seem to have hit upon much success. Skype have also had a USB device available for some time.

Will Magic Jack therefore be a success? The promise is as always 'free calls' but as usual you have to buy into the package by purchasing the hardware and paying an annual advance fee.

In simple terms MJ is a USB/Voip Processor enabling a standard RJ11 phone to be connected to a PC.

http://www.tjnet.com/solutions/usb_to_rj11_adaptor.htm

For MJ to function the PC has to be on and running to both make and receive calls which means of course overall it is probably going to consume more power than a standard ATA. This begs the obvious question - why not just run a softphone on the PC instead?

For some I suppose the answer is simplicity, the device is designed to be as close to plug and play as is possible (although there are reports of incompatibility with Service Pack 3 on Windows XP Machines).

I have not been able to find out if it works on UK wired phones (the signal pair is different) perhaps someone could let us all know please.

Dan Borislow claims in his advertising to be the inventor of the device and there is a link to a UK 'Management Consultant' Office; more on him here.

As always with these low cost devices there is little consideration for customer service and some that have been seduced by the advertising hype find themselves struggling to resolve their problems.

There are already some fairly voiciferous attacks from competitors citing a MJ EULA that waives legal rights, violation of user privacy and delivers some targeted advertising.

Some further research brings up some interesting links associated with an SDK for the device

http://www.techchee.com/2008/05/06/cuph ... agic-jack/

Other similar USB devices are available including one called 'echo free'.

MagicJack seems to be another commercial attempt to bring VOIP to the masses but regular readers of this forum will be more aware than most that there are really no magic answers.

For anyone wishing to experiment but take the device further there is a support forum here.

Anyone made one work with Voipuser yet?

Links checked and updated April 09

This device is similar to others that I have seen. I suppose the "free" calls are attractive to some. I think I would sooner have a USB phone. Come to think of it I have one that allows free calls.

A practical possibility now should be an ATA that plugs into a computer USB directly OR can be powered externally - possibly with a battery. I have a nexXtech FM transmitter that I think it might look like. (Perhaps a sort of mini Grandstream 286).It would be good for travellers. Come to think of it, it probably already exists!