MagicJack
Encyclopedia
MagicJack is a device that plugs into a USB port on the user's computer and that has a standard RJ-11
phone jack into which any standard phone can be plugged. This allows the user to make phone calls to almost any phone in the U.S. and Canada
.
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
. The firm's primary product is a USB device
that holds 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 SLIC, or Subscriber Line Interface Circuit
) which allow conventional landline
telephones to be plugged directly into the device. 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.
The magicJack device works exclusively with the company's captive landline supplier and CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier
), YMAX.
Voicemail is stored on the magicJack servers and is delivered via email.
In January 2010, MagicJack announced that it plans to sell an inexpensive femtocell
that will allow any GSM cell phone to make calls over its VoIP network without service from a traditional cellular provider. As of August 2010, the project is on hold until a supporting partner is found to "get around legal restrictions on the use of licensed spectrum."
Downloadable feature upgrades for the magicJack USB dongle are available from third-party software companies.
In July 2010, YMAX (the creator/owner of MagicJack) merged with VocalTec to form Nasdaq Global Markets: CALL, trading under the stock symbol NasdaqGM:CALL.
reviewed magicJack and rated it as Very Good. It also received their Editors' Choice award. In February 2009, PC Magazine re-reviewed magicJack 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.
Consumer Reports
gave magicJack a thumbs up in the February 2010 print issue.
if changing to MagicJack.
(End User License Agreement):
over its assessment of MagicJack's terms of service
, which included assertions that the MagicJack End User License Agreement (EULA) allows the company to "snoop" on users by analysing their calls for the purpose of targeting advertising and that the EULA requires users to waive the right to sue in court. MagicJack's suit was determined to be a strategic lawsuit against public participation
and dismissed. MagicJack was also ordered to pay Boing Boing's legal expenses of $50,000 US.
On June 24, 2009, CANADIANMAGICJACK.CA LTD, filed a lawsuit against magicJack LP with the Supreme Court of British Columbia
, Canada
, Vancouver Registry (No. S-094744)..
Registered jack
A registered jack is a standardized physical network interface — both jack construction and wiring pattern — for connecting telecommunications or data equipment to a service provided by a local exchange carrier or long distance carrier. The standard designs for these connectors and their wiring...
phone jack into which any standard phone can be plugged. This allows the user to make phone calls to almost any phone in the U.S. and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
It is a computer peripheral
Peripheral
A peripheral is a device attached to a host computer, but not part of it, and is more or less dependent on the host. It expands the host's capabilities, but does not form part of the core computer architecture....
that, in combination with telephony
Telephony
In telecommunications, telephony encompasses the general use of equipment to provide communication over distances, specifically by connecting telephones to each other....
service from the related YMAX Corporation, provides Internet-based telephone service (VoIP) to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The firm's primary product is a USB device
Universal Serial Bus
USB is an industry standard developed in the mid-1990s that defines the cables, connectors and protocols used in a bus for connection, communication and power supply between computers and electronic devices....
that holds both the software necessary to place Internet-based telephone calls via a customer-supplied high-speed internet connection
Broadband Internet access
Broadband Internet access, often shortened to just "broadband", is a high data rate, low-latency connection to the Internet— typically contrasted with dial-up access using a 56 kbit/s modem or satellite Internet with inherently high latency....
and the electronics (technically known as a SLIC, or Subscriber Line Interface Circuit
SLIC
Subscriber Loop Carrier or Subscriber Line Carrier refers to equipment providing central office-like telephone interface functionality. The SLC Remote Terminal is typically located in a remote area with a high density of telephone service such as a residential neighborhood...
) which allow conventional landline
Landline
A landline was originally an overland telegraph wire, as opposed to an undersea cable. Currently, landline refers to a telephone line which travels through a solid medium, either metal wire or optical fibre, as distinguished from a mobile cellular line, where transmission is via radio waves...
telephones to be plugged directly into the device. 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
Dan Borislow
Daniel M. Borislow is an American entrepreneur, sports team owner, inventor, and thoroughbred horse breeder. Originating in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area, Borislow attended Widener University and worked in cable construction and landscaping before going into the telephone business. He...
, who has numerous patent claims pending on voice-over-IP (VoIP)-related technology.
The magicJack device works exclusively with the company's captive landline supplier and CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier
Competitive local exchange carrier
A competitive local exchange carrier , in the United States, is a telecommunications provider company competing with other, already established carriers ....
), YMAX.
Voicemail is stored on the magicJack servers and is delivered via email.
In January 2010, MagicJack announced that it plans to sell an inexpensive femtocell
Femtocell
In telecommunications, a femtocell is a small cellular base station, typically designed for use in a home or small business. It connects to the service provider’s network via broadband ; current designs typically support 2 to 4 active mobile phones in a residential setting, and 8 to 16 active...
that will allow any GSM cell phone to make calls over its VoIP network without service from a traditional cellular provider. As of August 2010, the project is on hold until a supporting partner is found to "get around legal restrictions on the use of licensed spectrum."
Downloadable feature upgrades for the magicJack USB dongle are available from third-party software companies.
In July 2010, YMAX (the creator/owner of MagicJack) merged with VocalTec to form Nasdaq Global Markets: CALL, trading under the stock symbol NasdaqGM:CALL.
Reviews
In January 2008, PC MagazinePC Magazine
PC Magazine is a computer magazine published by Ziff Davis Publishing Holdings Inc. A print edition was published from 1982 to January 2009...
reviewed magicJack and rated it as Very Good. It also received their Editors' Choice award. In February 2009, PC Magazine re-reviewed magicJack 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.
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is an American magazine published monthly by Consumers Union since 1936. It publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory. It also publishes cleaning and general buying guides...
gave magicJack a thumbs up in the February 2010 print issue.
Local number portability
Starting on September 1, 2011, customers are now being offered local number portability by paying a nominal fee, although the service is still in beta testing Previously users were not able to keep their existing phone numberLocal number portability
Local number portability for fixed lines, and full mobile number portability for mobile phone lines, refers to the ability to transfer either an existing fixed-line or mobile telephone number assigned by a local exchange carrier and reassign it to another carrier...
if changing to MagicJack.
Calling pay services
According to their EULASoftware license agreement
A software license agreement is a contract between the "licensor" and purchaser of the right to use software. The license may define ways under which the copy can be used, in addition to the automatic rights of the buyer including the first sale doctrine and .Many form contracts are only contained...
(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."
Uninstallation
As of November 2007, magicJack had not provided an uninstallation method either in the software or as documentation. Since 2010, the version for the Windows platform has the uninstaller capability accessible through the "Add/Remove Programs" in the Control Panel.Defamation suit
In March 2009, MagicJack took legal action for defamation against Boing BoingBoing Boing
Boing Boing is a publishing entity, first established as a magazine, later becoming a group blog.-History:...
over its assessment of MagicJack's terms of service
Terms of service
Terms of service are rules which one must agree to abide by in order to use a service. Unless in violation of consumer protection laws, such terms are usually legally binding...
, which included assertions that the MagicJack End User License Agreement (EULA) allows the company to "snoop" on users by analysing their calls for the purpose of targeting advertising and that the EULA requires users to waive the right to sue in court. MagicJack's suit was determined to be a strategic lawsuit against public participation
Strategic lawsuit against public participation
A strategic lawsuit against public participation is a lawsuit that is intended to censor, intimidate, and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defense until they abandon their criticism or opposition....
and dismissed. MagicJack was also ordered to pay Boing Boing's legal expenses of $50,000 US.
On June 24, 2009, CANADIANMAGICJACK.CA LTD, filed a lawsuit against magicJack LP with the Supreme Court of British Columbia
Supreme Court of British Columbia
The Supreme Court of British Columbia is the superior trial court for the province of British Columbia. The BCSC hears civil and criminal law cases as well as appeals from the Provincial Court of British Columbia. Including supernumerary judges, there are presently 108 judges...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Vancouver Registry (No. S-094744)..