The company behind the magicJack, the cheap Internet phone gadget that’s been heavily promoted on TV, has made a new version of the device that allows free calls from cellphones in the home, in a fashion that’s sure to draw protest from cellular carriers.
The new magicJack uses, without permission, radio frequencies for which cellular carriers have paid billions of dollars for exclusive licenses.
YMax, which is based in Palm Beach, Fla., said this week at the International Consumers Electronics Show that it plans to start selling the device in about four months for US$40, the same price as the original magicJack . As before, it will provide free calls to the U.S. and Canada for one year.
The device is, in essence, a very small cellular tower for the home.
Hello lawsuits.
I don’t really see any advantage this has over the regular magicJack, except for people who only have a cell phone. Even then, a usable quality wired phone can be had for under ten bucks these days and a cordless (not cellular — with a base station) phone for under twenty. Perhaps the benefit is in the feeling of “sticking it” to the cell carrier?
If I recall correctly, it’s legal to use a transmitter without a license as long as it emits less than one hundred milliwatts (that’s 1/10 of a watt).
# 25 Greg Allen:
“This is like the fact that you are allowed to broadcast on AM and FM commercial frequencies if it is only on your property. I do this constantly to extend my computer music to my FM radios around the house.”
I’d like to do that. What do you recommend?
This could force the FCC to defend its rancid practice of auctioning off pieces of the PUBLICLY OWNED RF spectrum to the highest bidder. Viva la MagicJack.
Does anyone know what has happened with CUPHONE?
Not the greatest VOIP but it suited my purposes.
@12 ECA Said “IS THIS THE GIRL THAT ELECTROCUTED HERSELF?? by using a charger connected cellphone in the tub??”
Not sure but if she gets that phone wet it won’t be covered under the warranty.
The magicJack could cause interference with other devices in close physical proximity, such as in an apartment or office, outside of its intended range.
Could employees bring the magicJack as a USB device into a workplace and get free calls and internet? This could be a security risk for IT administrators.
What about 3G? This just seems to work over GSM.
More and more phones have Wi-fi. This will lead into more “femtocells” in homes to communicate with phones via Wi-fi.
Quality of the device might be an issue because of strict FCC specs for transmission.
What’s the MagicJack SCAM? VOIP is free and easy, fine. We’re NOT talking VOIP. MagicJack claims to link your computer/phone to the PHONE SYSTEM. That is I can use this $20 a year product to talk all day to my brother on his land line (phone system)? How is that theoretically possible? I understand how I can use Skype or AIM to talk from computer to computer, but connecting to the phone system to connect to a land line causes the telco to charge SOMEONE. At $20 a month I’m obviously not paying. Is MagicJack hacking in illegally to the telcos? Is MagicJack paying the entire telco bill and making it back by selling your private information somehow? Bottom line, there stated public claims for this don’t make any economic sense at all. They should be losing about $35 a month on each and every one. Anyone?