TeddyK
on
If you’re familiar with the magicJack, then you already know that it’s a VoIP device and service giving you free calls throughout Canada and the U.S. The iPhone app that I originally saw at CES in Las Vegas in January has finally come to life, and it offers free calls in both countries without having to own a magicJack or pay anything.
Much like Skype, netTalk and other VoIP apps already on iOS devices, magicJack’s app lets you make and take calls through Wi-Fi and 3G. This means the app can also be used with an iPod touch and iPad.
You have three options in using the app. You can opt to sign in using your existing magicJack account, whereby your number will also be ported over, so when people call it, you can answer on the iPhone directly.
You can choose to set up a new account — but without any payment information, so it’s simply for the purpose of making outgoing calls, though other magicJack app users can reach out to you freely, too. Calls to landlines and mobile phones are free, and don’t reflect at all on whatever voice plan you have with your carrier. They just use data, which really doesn’t amount to that much at all.
And lastly, you can choose to make outgoing calls only to anyone you want in North America using a disposable number.
At all times, you have access to your iPhone contacts, and you can keep magicJack-only contacts separate, if need be. The layout of the app during a call is pretty much a carbon copy of Apple’s own phone app, as you can see from the image included here.
Call quality is excellent based on my tests, and the app even recognizes Bluetooth devices for hands-free calls.
With updates, this app will only get better, and as is, it essentially turns your iPhone into a free phone. This is especially true if you already own a magicJack.
