And Speaking of Telephones...

IRONWOOD, MI - Sunday, July 06, 2008 - Perhaps you've seen the infomercials. The "MagicJack" is a special electronic device that plugs into your computer, and if you have high speed, broadband Internet connection, you can plug any standard landline telephone into the gadget and make free calls all over the county. Well, their not exactly free -- but they are so cheap, they might as well be free.

I was skeptical when I saw the ads for this new innovation, but, I though to myself, "If it is a scam, it's a cheap one!" So I went online and ordered one. The total cost -- with shipping & handling -- including one full year of service -- was only $46.90. Within a couple of days, my "MagicJack" arrive! I quickly pulled it out of the box; plugged it into an empty USB port on my computer; plugged in a standard phone; and made my first call. It is incredibly clear! I called friends and family to test it. Everybody said it was as clear or clearer than my standard landline.

The reason I purchased this gizmo was for my mother. She loves to talk to her sons, but most of them (all but me) have moved out of the area. She's on a fixed income, and she was spending over $50/month on long distance charges alone. I ran to the store and bought a new phone for my mom's new MagicJack. I went to her house; plugged the jack into the an empty USB port on her computer; plugged in the phone; and called her landline. When I explained that she could call anyone she wanted anywhere in the United States and talk for as long as she wanted, she was thrilled.

She's been calling my brothers almost daily since she's had her MagicJack. She's also been calling old friends and other family. She told me that she feels a "new freedom" not having to worry about outrageous long distance charges.

I strongly recommend the MagicJack. The only complaint I have about the device is that the 906 area code is not available when you assign yourself a new number. My mom's new number has a Southfield, Michigan area code. It doesn't really matter to her. For now, she's keeping her landline for incoming calls and she's using her MagicJack to make outgoing long distance calls.

She has AT&T DSL, and I called to see if she could keep her DSL service and eliminate her phone. They told me that a $5.00 fee per month would be added to her DSL charge if she didn't want a phone. As it is now, she's saving $50/month or $600/year. If  she used the MagicJack as her landline phone, she'd save more like $80/month or $960/year.

MagicJack features every major compliment that you usually have to pay extra for on a landline -- call waiting; caller I.D.; three-way calling; etc. In addition, you can take your MagicJack with you when you travel, and your number goes with you. All you need to do is find someone who has a computer with broadband or high speed Internet and plug into their USB port.

For more information about MagicJack contact http://www.magicjack.com/4/index.asp.