VoIP

Last week, we took a second look at the magicJack to see what new features found its way into the device since our initial magicJack review in the fall of 2007. Today we pick the brain of magicJack’s inventor, Dan Borislow, to talk Linux compatibility, number porting, customer service, and much, much more.

LAPTOP: How has the public taken to magicJack? Have sales met expectations?

Dan Borislow: The sales of the magicJack have proven just how much the public has taken to it. Since launching Version 1.0 in January, sales have grown 25% week over week and totaling over 250,000 so far, and we expect to hit 350,000 by the end of April.

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It’s been a while since we’ve checked up on the magicJack, the $39.99 telecommunications device that slides into a notebook’s USB port and allows chatters to make unlimited local and long-distance calls within the U.S. and Canada using a traditional landline phone or headset. In our magicJack review, we praised the device for its simple setup, very nice call quality, and amenities, but magicJack had promised additional features. Our mission was to find out if the company followed through.

Promise #1: Mac Compatibility Before the End of 2007

At the time of our November 2007 review, magicJack was PC-only; Mac compatibility was set to arrive before the end of the year. Did magicJack live up to its promise? Well, technically, no. OS X compatibility was added in January 2008, but we’re not going to split hairs over a few days; we’re just happy to see the magicJack love spread to more operating systems.

Promise #2: International Calling Before the End of 2007

Much like Mac compatibility, international dialing was slated to arrive before we said bye-bye to 2007. Did magicJack live up to its promise? Again, not quite. International dialing did arrive, but not until 2008. Still, we’re happy that it’s here, and this is how it works: You can call any other magicJack user anywhere in the world free of charge. If you’re traveling abroad, you can place free calls to the U.S. or Canada. In fact, the only time that you have to reach for your wallet is when you’re calling a non-magicJack international number; that requires the purchase of international minutes. Plus, if you’re overseas and plan to call someone in the U.S. or Canada, or want to dial an international magicJack user, there’s no need to use a country code.

Promise #3: Ability to Port Existing Numbers to magicJack Before End of 2007

We’re still waiting.

A magicJack unit just arrived in our offices and we’re eager to put the device through the paces. A question for the magicJack fans out there: What do you think of the new features?

Gizmodo reported live from Apple’s event yesterday that the new iPhone 2.0 software will support calls over a Wi-Fi connection. Unlike T-Mobile’s HotSpot @Home service, third-party developers can create VoIP programs that allow for free calling over Wi-Fi.

I am going to have to go with Russell Shaw, ZDNet’s VoIP expert, in thinking this might not be such a big deal. He says:

Mobile VoIP is making some inroads in the enterprise and SMB sectors, but less so for the consumer. Not enough demand, and reports of less-than-stellar tech quality.

Before I offer more a more conclusive assessment about the longer-term prospects VoIP over iPhone, let me see what the 3P devs come up with.

I am of the same mind Shaw.

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Ooma might have Ashton Kutcher, but Skype has gotten one of the most powerful women in the world to put her good name behind VoIP.

Skype is in-part sponsoring a web event on Oprah.com. They are helping to facilitate ten weekly segments of Oprah.com’s “A New Earth” Web Event discussing Eckhart Tolle’s book: “A New Earth: Get Ready To Be Awakened.”

Each week starting today, March 3, Oprah.com will broadcast a live web event focused on a chapter of this book, during which Oprah and the author, Eckhart Tolle, will answer questions live from select participants using Skype High Quality Video calling.

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We have long been fans of ooVoo’s 6-way video calling service. And now the company has given us even more to love. Today the VoIP company released its newest version that makes it a real Skype killer by offering calling to landline and mobile phones.

The biggest news: from February 4 to March 1, 2008, users who download ooVoo 1.5 will receive two hours of free outbound calls on ooVoo to any landline or mobile phone in the U.S. and Canada from anywhere in the world. Who will you call?

I have been testing out the new version now for a few hours. The interface hasn’t changed much, though there is now a tab on the main client for making calls to regular phones. A scroll down menu lets you choose what country you would like to dial, very much like Skype, but only the United States and Canada are available for calling as of now.

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We rarely think about the mobility solutions of the retail industry—that is, the mobile tools that store employees use to be more productive during heavy shopping seasons. According to a recent survey put out by Motorola during the 2007 Holiday Shopping season, the lack of effective mobile solutions is actually hurting sales—as much as 40 percent this past year. ‘Bout time those big-box retailers start paying us a bit more attention, eh?

The problem, according to Motorola, is a communications gap between customer service representatives and shoppers. Store-goers are annoyed with long lines, and are upset that there aren’t enough staffers to help make purchasing decisions.
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