I was thinking of purchasing Magic Jack or Magic Jack Plus. With the Magic Jack, you need a computer and wireless internet. With Magic Jack Plus, you don't need a computer and all you need is wireless internet as it has a wireless internet card. Magic Jack Plus seems more convenient because you don't have to have it connected to a computer all the time. Has anyone had any experience with this? It seems a great way to save money on the monthly phone bill. Not having a land line is not an option at this time because of a significant other. Thanks for any help on this.
To the topic at hand....Imho, "magicjack" likely had some decent application when it was first introduced to the marketplace
But in the year 2012, obtaining a decent laptop computer (for under $500 in most cases) with a built in webcam to be used with a true* high speed broadband connection is the best way to talk with people outside your immediate area code.
*True, meaning that most internet carriers offer a range of speeds. The lowest range might experience mild buffering of content - that is, video and/or audio images might suffer occasional "stalls" as the stream works it way across the web. But most speed ranges, especially the higher ones offered (at likely $10-20 more per month) will handle streaming video/audio great.
If your receiving party has their own laptop with webcam/high speed ISP, you can have a literal face to face phone talk that will be just like you've probably seen on various television programs where two or more characters are conversing face to face through their laptops.
Finally, if you or your "significant other" or anyone else is behind the educational curve (that's no offense intended), they might not be aware that in most major population markets a good cell phone can be had with essentially unlimited minutes for well under $100 per month. And with few exceptions, related cellular service allows for long distance nationwide at no extra cost over local calling.
As for myself, we do have a land line affiliated with our verizon-delivered internet connection and it probably affects my monthly cost by about $30. But I've made maybe two or three calls on that line in the past year. Best use for it is to give to commercial vendors etc who might demand a phone number for whatever reason. Then, all of the spam/telemarketing calls that get generated from such information just go to a phone which I never answer.
But in the year 2012, obtaining a decent laptop computer (for under $500 in most cases) with a built in webcam to be used with a true* high speed broadband connection is the best way to talk with people outside your immediate area code.
*True, meaning that most internet carriers offer a range of speeds. The lowest range might experience mild buffering of content - that is, video and/or audio images might suffer occasional "stalls" as the stream works it way across the web. But most speed ranges, especially the higher ones offered (at likely $10-20 more per month) will handle streaming video/audio great.
If your receiving party has their own laptop with webcam/high speed ISP, you can have a literal face to face phone talk that will be just like you've probably seen on various television programs where two or more characters are conversing face to face through their laptops.
Finally, if you or your "significant other" or anyone else is behind the educational curve (that's no offense intended), they might not be aware that in most major population markets a good cell phone can be had with essentially unlimited minutes for well under $100 per month. And with few exceptions, related cellular service allows for long distance nationwide at no extra cost over local calling.
As for myself, we do have a land line affiliated with our verizon-delivered internet connection and it probably affects my monthly cost by about $30. But I've made maybe two or three calls on that line in the past year. Best use for it is to give to commercial vendors etc who might demand a phone number for whatever reason. Then, all of the spam/telemarketing calls that get generated from such information just go to a phone which I never answer.
"As for myself, we do have a land line affiliated with our verizon-delivered internet connection and it probably affects my monthly cost by about $30. But I've made maybe two or three calls on that line in the past year. Best use for it is to give to commercial vendors etc who might demand a phone number for whatever reason. Then, all of the spam/telemarketing calls that get generated from such information just go to a phone which I never answer."
I Do exactly the same thing. If I cut out the phone I would save 20 bucks a month but you have to give a phone number for everything and I'm not giving out my cell phone number.
I Do exactly the same thing. If I cut out the phone I would save 20 bucks a month but you have to give a phone number for everything and I'm not giving out my cell phone number.
Have had the magic jack for 5 years now. Works perfectly. Yes they have mediocre customer service. But I have saved $1000's of dollars using this. If you live overseas I highly recommend it. How can you beat $20 a year for unlimited calling or $60 bucks for 5 years of unlimited calling?
Google offers the service for free( when you have a free google e-mail account), It's not called magic jack but just their own personal service - used it a lot last year when having cell phone problems. Free calls and texts throughout the U.S. and Canada, not a lot of people know about it but its a great service. I used my microphone to talk through and my speakers to hear because i didnt have a landline phone laying around to hook up to my laptop. Details are found on the google site
