If your device is not detected, plug your magicJack into your computer's USB port. For PC, the magicJack Desktop Application will automatically launch. For MAC, double-click the magicJack icon to launch the Desktop Application. The Application will guide you through the Activation process. You CAN do this.You should do this.Trying to find a cell phone ringing somewhere in the house?Really?Crazy.Just put in a home phone. Like the old days.
| Founded | 2007; 14 years ago |
|---|---|
| Founders | Dan Borislow and Donald Burns |
| Owner | YMAX |
| Website | Official website |
MagicJack is a device that plugs into a USB port on the user's computer (or in the case of MagicJack Plus, plugs directly into a router) and has a standard RJ-11 phone jack into which any standard phone can be plugged. It is a computer peripheral that, in combination with telephony service from the related YMAX Corporation, provides Internet-based telephone service (VoIP) to the United States and Canada. In 2011 the company introduced MagicJack Plus, which no longer requires a computer (but still requires the user to have an Internet service provider).
The MagicJack device works exclusively with the company's captive landline supplier and competitive local exchange carrier, YMAX. Voicemail is stored on the MagicJack servers and is delivered via direct telephone access, and email with WAV audio file attachments. Downloadable feature upgrades for the MagicJack USB dongle are available from third-party software companies.
History[edit]
Dan Borislow invented the product in 2007 and had applied for patents from the U.S. government while he and Donald Burns shared the payment of $25 million to start up the company.[1][2]
The firm's first product, introduced in 2007, is a USB device that has both the software necessary to place Internet-based telephone calls via a customer-supplied high-speed Internet connection and the electronics (technically known as a subscriber line interface circuit) which allow conventional landline telephones to be plugged directly into the device.[3]
In September 2011 the company introduced MagicJack Plus, which does not require the use of a computer after its initial online registration and account set-up procedure. The device connects directly to a modem or router's ethernet port, and has a standard phone jack (which allows a phone to be connected to the device) as well as an AC power adapter that plugs into a standard U.S. electrical outlet.[4]
The products are promoted through television infomercials and a website. The company's website attributes the invention of MagicJack and the founding of YMAX to Dan Borislow, who has numerous patent claims pending on voice-over-IP (VoIP)-related technology.
In July 2010, YMAX (the creator/owner of MagicJack) merged with VocalTec to form MagicJack VocalTec Ltd which is headquartered in Netanya, Israel (Nasdaq: CALL).[5]
Reviews[edit]
In January 2008, PC Magazine reviewed MagicJack[6] and rated it as Very Good. It also received their Editors' Choice award. In February 2009, PC Magazine re-reviewed magicJack[7] because of dozens of complaints received about the support for the device. As a result, PC Magazine reduced its rating of MagicJack from Very Good to Good, saying the company's technical support was 'severely lacking.'[8] The company offers support via web-based chat.
In 2010, Consumer Reports gave MagicJack a thumbs up.[9]
In 2016, TheVoIPHub released the most comprehensive review of MagicJack seen to date, including information on every device they have ever released.[10]
In 2016, CNET said that MagicJack is a “trade off between price and reliability.'[11]
In 2019, Voip Review showed MagicJack with 1.6 star rating, down from 3 stars in 2014.[12]
As of November 2019, Consumer Affairs had given MagicJack a 1 star rating. [13]
Local number portability[edit]
In September 2011 MagicJack began offering local number portability, with an annual fee to keep the 'ported-in' number. This allows customers to keep their existing phone number when switching to MagicJack. The company charges its customers to transfer their telephone number out of their MagicJack telephone service into a different telephone service provider. Not all US area codes are available.[14]
Calling pay services[edit]
According to their end-user license agreement:
3.b Outgoing Calls:'Once you have registered your MagicJack device you have agreed to these Terms of Service. You may now elect to choose the feature allowing you to make free outgoing calls over the Internet. You can make free calls to other MagicJack device users located anywhere in the world, and to subscribers on traditional telephone networks or wireless networks in the United States. You will not have the ability to call any number that would require the addition of any charges to your phone bill, such as 900 or 976 numbers or any other 'fee per call' type service.'[15]
Not all calls in North America are free[edit]
A separate prepaid minutes purchase is required for calls to conference lines, platforms, calling cards, certain non-ILEC area calls, area code 867 (Northern Canada) and most of Alaska.
According to MagicJack's end-user license agreement:
4. What Is Free and What is Not:'We may require prepaid purchase and/or we may charge you for calls to conference lines, platforms and certain non-ILEC area calls, or any call wherein we incur a cost from another carrier. We may provide for a fee, premium prepaid services, which may be powered by YMAX Communications Corp. (YMAX), and may include some inbound, international, conference, platform and outbound calls that receive a recording and certain calls to non-ILEC areas, and the rates for those services will be governed by listed price lists or tariffs. International calling purchases expire six months after purchase. MagicJack, YMAX Communications Corp. (YMAX), and/or Vocal Tec may make available to you, for an additional fee, enhanced versions of the MagicJack and/or MagicJack Plus device or M″agicJack APP Software (Upgraded Software) that provide new features and functions.'[15]
Magicjack
Uninstallation[edit]
Originally MagicJack did not provide an uninstallation method in either the software or the documentation, causing a lot of users to get very upset with the company.[citation needed] As a result, since 2010, the version for the Windows platform has had an uninstaller accessible through the 'Add/Remove Programs' in the Windows Control Panel.
Lawsuits[edit]
In March 2009, MagicJack took legal action for defamation against Boing Boing over its assessment of MagicJack's terms of service,[16] which included assertions that the MagicJack end-user license agreement allows the company to 'snoop' on users by analyzing their calls for the purpose of targeting advertising and that the agreement also requires users to waive the right to sue in court.[17] MagicJack's suit was determined to be a strategic lawsuit against public participation and was dismissed. MagicJack was also ordered to pay Boing Boing's legal expenses of $50,000 US.[16]
MagicJack sued netTalk in April 2012 for patent infringement. The federal court has dismissed the entire case with prejudice, including all claims, counterclaims, defenses and causes of action.[18]
On September 21, 2012, NetTalk.com, filed a complaint in United States District Court For the Southern District of Florida, Civil Action No.: 9:12-cv-81022-Civ-Middlebrook/Brannon, against MagicJack Vocaltec, MagicJack Holdings f/k/a YMAX Holdings and Daniel Borislow. In the complaint, netTalk alleged patent infringement by the defendants, seeking injunctive relief and damages of two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) as a result of the alleged patent infringement by defendants.
As a result of this action, MagicJack/Vocaltec filed a document with the United States Patent Office requesting reexamination of netTalk patent 8,243,722. The Patent Office granted the reexamination petition and the claim against MagicJack/Vocaltec was stayed pending its outcome.
In December 2013 netTalk received a Patent Office Notice of Intent to Issue Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate for netTalk’s U.S. Patent Number 8,243,722.
In January 2014, netTalk petitioned the courts to restart the aforementioned lawsuit against MagicJack Vocaltec, MagicJack Holdings f/k/a YMAX Hodings and Daniel Borislow.
On February 27, 2014, netTalk received the reexamination certificate which restated that all three claims of the ‘722 patent were allowable. The three claims were minimally amended during the proceeding.[19]
On April 2, 2014 Daniel Borislow and Technochat sued MagicJack VocalTec and YMAX for defamation, fraudulent inducement and many other allegations.[20] In December 2014, the case was settled out of court by Daniel Borislow's widow.[21]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Greenberg, Herb (March 7, 2007). 'Going after Vonage, Skype'. MarketWatch. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- ^'magicJack VocalTec Communications' CEO Discusses Q2 2012 Results'. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
- ^Kritsonis, Ted (March 12, 2008). 'MagicJack casts fair spell'. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- ^Furchgott, Roy (September 1, 2011). 'Skype Now Wants Your Landline'. New York Times.
- ^'VocalTec and YMAX/magicJack Announce Merger' YMAX. 16 Jul 2010. Last accessed 13 May 2011.
- ^Rist, Oliver (January 17, 2008). 'YMax magicJack'. PC Magazine. Retrieved 2009-03-31.
- ^Morejon, Mario (February 2009). 'YMax magicJack (Winter 2009)'. PC Magazine.
- ^Costa, Dan (February 2009). 'The Complicated Case of MagicJack'. PC Magazine.
- ^Mandle, Nick (6 January 2010). 'Magic Jack: A great deal with a few limitations'. Consumer Reports. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
- ^'Exclusive Expert MagicJack Review - 2016 Update - [Legit or Scam?]'. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
- ^The MagicJack Go is a trade off between price and reliability - YouTube
- ^magicJack - 277 Reviews | VoipReview
- ^Top 49 Reviews about magicJack
- ^'MagicJack FAQ'.
- ^ ab'Terms of Service and Software License Agreement for magicJack, LP and YMAX Communications Corporation and VocalTec Communications Corp'. MagicJack. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
- ^ abMic, Jason (24 February 2010). 'MagicJack Loses Junk Suit Against Site that Revealed it Spied on Users'. DailyTech. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
- ^Beschizza, Rob (14 April 2008). 'MagicJack's EULA says it will spy on you and force you into arbitration'. Boing Boing. Retrieved 10 December 2010.
- ^Elmore, Charles (September 21, 2012). 'Competitor claims magicJack is infringing on patent'.
- ^'Net Talk.com, Inc. (NTLK) 10-K filed 5/8/2014'. Edgar Online. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ^'Daniel Borislow and Technochat Inc. v. MagicJack Vocaltec Ltd and YMAX Corp'. Scribd. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ^'MagicJack inventor's death leaves pile of lawsuits'. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
External links[edit]
| Wikibooks has a book on the topic of: MagicJack |
Service & Phone Number Renewal
You can renew service on any currently active, or recently deactivated device on your account via the Rapid Renewal process or by completing the following steps:
Login to your account at my.magicJack.com
Select the “Account” tab at the top of your screen
Locate the device name you wish to renew and select the “Add Months” or “Click to Reactivate” link located under the “Device Status”
Choose your plan and click “Add to Cart”
Choose your shipping and billing address
Enter or select the credit card/debit card
Select if you would like to enable the auto-renewal feature for this line
Enter Agree to the subscriber agreement, you will need to scroll to the bottom of the agreement before you can accept it
Verify all of the information and select “Complete Order”
Your service renewal should be immediately reflected; if it is not, please unplug and re-plug in your device.
Rapid Renew allows you to renew your device service subscription without logging into your account.
To renew using this new quick and easy wizard, follow these steps:
- Go to www.magicJack.com, select Login. On this page you will see an option to start Rapid Renew
- Enter your magicJack phone number and click RENEW NOW
- Choose the renewal plan then click CONTINUE TO BILLING.
NOTE: Review your phone number, primary email address and renewal date information!
- Enter your credit/debid card card details then click REVIEW ORDER
- Confirm your selections
- Review the magicJack Subscriber Agreement, select the checkbox then click COMPLETE ORDER
AS A REMINDER: if you have a premium phone number, such as a Canadian phone number or vanity number, you will need to login to your magicJack account to renew that phone number separately.
What is a premium phone number?
Any number that requires an annual fee is considered a premium number. These include the following:
- Vanity: A specifically-requested combination of numbers
- Custom: Chosen from a list of available numbers
- Canadian: All Canadian numbers are considered premium
How much do premium phone numbers cost?
Premium numbers vary in price depending on the option selected. Current prices are listed below:
- Vanity numbers: $10 per year (+ applicable taxes & fees)
- Custom numbers: $3 per year (+ applicable taxes & fees)
- Canadian numbers: $10 per year (+ applicable taxes & fees)
How can I renew my premium number?
Premium number subscription does not always run concurrent to your device service subscription. As such, the renewal period for your premium number and phone service may fall on different dates.
To renew a premium number:
- Login to the my.magicJack.com portal
- At the top of the screen, a banner notification will alert you that your phone number requires renewal
- Underneath the magicJack Devices section of the page, locate the Number Status column. Click the Add a Year link associated with your expired phone number. Your 1 year number renewal will automatically be added to your cart.
- Complete the checkout process. Your renewal will be immediately applied to your account.
Auto-Renew is a service that will automatically renew your selected subscription(s) at the end of their subscription term using an active credit card on file. You will receive email notification 30 days prior to the subscription renewal as a reminder of the date of the renewal and providing the current rate for the renewal. You will receive a confirmation email once the renewal has been successfully processed.
This service requires an active valid credit card on file at the time of the renewal. If the payment method fails, the service will be disconnected. To opt out of auto-renew you must call Customer Care at 1-844-866-2442 within the US or Canada or 1-561-594-9925 Outside the US or Canada.
To enroll in auto-renew, login to your account at my.magicJack.com. Select the Account Tab then AutoRenew. Turn on auto renew for the subscriptions you wish to have automatically renewed each year. If you do not have an active credit card on file, you will be required to update the billing information.
Magic Jack Phone Number Support
No, when you add a new credit card to your account a $1.00 authorization may occur to ensure the card’s validity. The authorization will be automatically reversed. Please allow several days for the reversal to occur.
Successfully processed renewals should show on your account screen immediately. If the transaction did not successfully complete, call Customer Care at 1-844-866-2442 within the US or Canada or 1-561-594-9925 Outside the US or Canada.
Your subscription renewal dates can be found by logging into your account at my.magicJack.com. On the account screen, you will see both Number Status (for number subscriptions) and Device Status (for service subscriptions). Each will indicate the expiration date.
All upcoming or expired renewals will display in banners on your account home page.
Service subscriptions renewals are provided via: email reminders, audio notification on outbound calls and Customer Care calls.
Http://magicjack.com
Number subscription renewals are provided via email and voice notification when making outbound calls.
Your credit card company or bank may place a temporary “hold” on the transaction amount to secure the funds when your order completes. This “hold” prevents your account from going over your credit limit. Funds held by most “holds” or temporary authorizations are usually released within a week based on your bank policies..