Internet telephony has been around for quite some time and was developed a couple of years ago to make long distance calls more profitable. Magic Jack is the newest entrant in the VoIP phone category and offers more benefits than others. The device has already made the manufacturers rich and the consumers around the world also seem to be happy with the product.

Magic Jack allows you to make unlimited calls to numbers in the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe for a small annual subscription. You just need to connect the device to the USB port of your computer to be able to make the calls. Needless to mention, you also need internet connectivity, because what you’re dealing with is an internet phone.

Like all other products, the Magic Jack also has its share of satisfying and not-so-satisfying features. It is up to the user to decide what is worthwhile and what is not. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons:

advantages

1. Cost – This device seems to be the most cost effective compared to others in the category. You pay $39.95 plus shipping and handling to own the device. This entitles you to free local and long distance calls to numbers in the US, Canada and some parts of Europe. For each subsequent year, you just need to renew your subscription for just $19.95 per year.
2. Feature Rich: The device comes packed with features like voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, call forwarding, 411 and 911.
3. Save cell phone costs: You can use the device to make calls from home and save your cell phone minutes.
4. You do not need to buy expensive hardware to be able to use the device. A regular landline phone, including cordless ones, could be used to make and receive calls. You can also use your computer’s microphone and speakers to make and receive calls.

cons

1. You need to have your computer turned on in order to use the device.
2. It may not be wise to completely rely on Magic Jack for communication purposes. The company is new and the product has yet to stand the test of time.
3. The device allows you to call 911 for emergencies, but it asks for your physical location during the setup process and it is the same location that is displayed on the receiving end when you call 911.
4. No electricity, no phone! If there is a power outage and you cannot change your computer boot, the device will not work.

In my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons. The Magic Jack comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so he can try the product and find out for himself if it’s worth using in the long run.