The MagicJack is a small device that can be connected to a laptop or desktop computer. MagicJack Plus no longer needs a computer.  It plugs directly into your broadband router.  It allows the user to make local and long distance calls to the US and Canada.  You do need to have a good broadband Internet connection.

This is basically the main reason why people buy it. You would be able to make local and long distance calls for free through following a simple installation process.

Connect a regular phone on the other end of the device and it is be ready for use. You would be surprised as to how quick it can be set up.  In fact, you can plug one end of a phone cord into the MagicJack and the other end into your wall phone socket and all your house phones become active.  (Remember to unplug your phone system outside from the phone companies box first.)

Aside from giving you the ability to make and receive local and long-distance calls to any place in the US and in Canada, the MagicJack also allows you to receive international calls for free and make international calls for a small fee.

It also offers numerous features such as conference calling, caller ID, call waiting and voice mail. You can also receive local and international calls on it for free.

Another good thing about it is that you do not need to wait for a program to be downloaded for hours to make it work. The clarity of calls is exceptional for VoIP, but probably not quite what as good as your current phone company. Some users say that the phone conversations that they have using the MagicJack are clearer compared to when they were using a regular phone service.

Many, including myself use older MagicJack (not MJ Plus) on what is called a "thin client" (see below) that always stays running.  If your computer is off, then all calls go to your voice mail which is an email address of your choice. 

There are some basic rules to remember.  No more than 50 calls in a day (they will cancel your subscription).  Phones calls will be terminated if longer than two hours (you can call back).

ADDITIONAL FEATURES-
Now that my phone runs through a computer, there are other phone apps that can be added.  There is an add-on program available for a one time fee of $20 from a company called PCPhoneSoft called Magic Features.  It adds extended features to your phone system that a regular phone company never made possbile (see side bar).  They also offer a free add-on called Magicringforever, which allows you to not use the MagicJack voicemail and use your conventional answering machine at home.  MagicJack goes to voicemail after 4 rings.  Our home answering machine picks up after 4-1/2 rings.  So we had to use our email to always check for phone messages instead of walking by the answering machine to see if it was flashing.  This free add-on gives us use of our answering machine at home again.

* The MagicJack dongle is $20 and a year's service is $20 so initial purchase price is $40.  Once you purchase the dongle you pay $20/year.