The Best Call Application So Far

[Mike S]

And I would want one that would let me call anybody regardless whether they have bought MJ hardware or not. Fortunately, there are other options.

 

I'm kinda lost here Mike ...... I can call anyone in the US and Canada on my MJ even if they don't have one ... you don't need to only call those people with a Magic Jack or else I couldn't call my bank in the US or the CC company ..... maybe I didn't understand your post ..... :cheersty:

[jon1]

I have the Magic Jack hardware and software. You can download the App (for Droid or Apple) onto your smart phone. Then load your account info and voila! you can make/receive calls from your Smart phone as long as you have Internet access. Magic Jack also provides voice mail that is emailed to your account if your phone is not connected to the internet.

 

You can use the software without an account but it is for MJ to MJ numbers only.. No better than Viber.

 

I now have the ability to have a US number for my bank accounts. 

 

The quality of service is usually dependent upon your internet reliability.

Edited May 27, 2013 by jon1

[MikeB]

I have the Magic Jack hardware and software. You can download the App (for Droid or Apple) onto your smart phone. Then load your account info and voila! you can make/receive calls from your Smart phone as long as you have Internet access. Magic Jack also provides voice mail that is emailed to your account if your phone is not connected to the internet.

I didn't realize you could use MJ to call outside the US w/o the hardware now, that appears to be what you're saying. I have the old version that plugs into the USB. No plugee no workee. MJ is fine but I would rather not have the contract. GV also provides v/m messages emailed to your account.

[jon1]

 

I have the Magic Jack hardware and software. You can download the App (for Droid or Apple) onto your smart phone. Then load your account info and voila! you can make/receive calls from your Smart phone as long as you have Internet access. Magic Jack also provides voice mail that is emailed to your account if your phone is not connected to the internet.

I didn't realize you could use MJ to call outside the US w/o the hardware now, that appears to be what you're saying. I have the old version that plugs into the USB. No plugee no workee. MJ is fine but I would rather not have the contract. GV also provides v/m messages emailed to your account.

 

 

Yes, you can use your MJ account without the hardware. For me, $100 for 5 years was hard to beat. Not sure what GV charges but I am happy with MJ. 

 

Calls can be received from anyone in the world (landline, cell phone, MJ). Their charges are by their plan. You can call US/Canada for free. 

[MikeB]

Not sure what GV charges

At present, free; but there are rumors they will start charging for calls at some point.

[i am bob]

The quality of service is usually dependent upon your internet reliability.

 

When you are talking about a softphone or SIP, you always need a good quality connection.  Some of these companies go on about how great they sound over a 3G connection but when you try them?  If you don't have a great signal, well...  Many of the new SmartPhone telephone apps are hit and miss depending on the system you run it on AND the quality of your data connection.

 

My plans are to have a hard Internet connection to the house for my netbook with FreePhoneLIne installed (Canadians only).  I am going to take either a Galaxy S4 or get the next Nexus when it comes out (hopefully with LTE) and drop Ubuntu Touch on it.  Being ex-military, I love redundancy and, for that, I will run the Fongo Android app with my FreephoneLine account on this.  Yes, you can run android apps on Ubuntu with a few easy changes.  This way I will have a Canadian telephone at home for calls to or from Canada with built-in voicemail, WiFi at home to save on data on my phone, and access to my Canadian phone through my smartphone when I am out travelling.  Oh - the reason for installing Ubuntu Touch on the phone?  Add a docking station, monitor, mouse and keyboard and it's now my full size computer.  Take away the add-ons and it's still a computer but you are using the phone screen and keyboard.  Kind of how I run my netbook now but even easier to carry.

[jon1]

Being ex-military, I love redundancy

 

If you come to the Philippines with that attitude it will help you in the long run. Always have a Plan B, C & D as Plan A never survives past contact...

 

Key word is flexibility with options. 

[earthdome]

 

 

I have the Magic Jack hardware and software. You can download the App (for Droid or Apple) onto your smart phone. Then load your account info and voila! you can make/receive calls from your Smart phone as long as you have Internet access. Magic Jack also provides voice mail that is emailed to your account if your phone is not connected to the internet.

I didn't realize you could use MJ to call outside the US w/o the hardware now, that appears to be what you're saying. I have the old version that plugs into the USB. No plugee no workee. MJ is fine but I would rather not have the contract. GV also provides v/m messages emailed to your account.

 

 

Yes, you can use your MJ account without the hardware. For me, $100 for 5 years was hard to beat. Not sure what GV charges but I am happy with MJ. 

 

Calls can be received from anyone in the world (landline, cell phone, MJ). Their charges are by their plan. You can call US/Canada for free. 

 

 

I tried to use my MJ smartphone app to call in to a teleconference hosted in the USA the other day. MJ said I had to pay extra and buy some credits to connect to the teleconference phone number. This isn't something unique with MJ, many VOIP call services block the free teleconference phone numbers in the USA. This is due to how the free teleconference solutions are monetized via using small rural telephone companies who receive higher fees for phone calls then split some of those fees with the free teleconference provider. Those additional fees add expenses to those phone calls that VOIP providers like MJ need to pass on to the customer.

 

Here is a workaround I found and have not tried: http://www.buyandholdblog.com/solution-to-magicjacks-conference-call-blocking-problem/

[Thomas]

 

I looked at the websites for both Viber and Tango - both say the free calls are to other members of their sites.  I am guessing this means that you just can't call anybody then?

There's no registration with Viber, you just install the free app and you can call or text anyone, anywhere in the world if both parties have Viber installed and an internet connection. Works great and no adware or annoying popups that I have seen. Wonder how they make their money?

Google Voice with a VOIP client like Groove IP is another great free option.

I haven't tried Tango.

If both have internet connection being online, there are several free call possibilities (e g Yahoo and Skype, I believe Facebook have added it too.) Or did you ment something else?

 

--

Funny about Skype: 

The guy behind Skype is Swedish. Earlier he started a file sharing service, made to THIEVE copy right protected material without paying anything.  When an other guy made it possible to thieve-fetch that THIEVE-service software, then that owner got angry, although he had made the same against thousands himself !!!   :hystery:

[Veverly10]

I found this new App in Google Play recently, it has an international calling promotion. What I’ve found the easiest and cheapest way to call these days is to use Global Call. It can call other non app users including plain old telephone service. For now you can get $1.50 worth of calls for free upon signing up. I used this credit to call Philippines and I got 45 minutes of talk, so that means they only charge $0.09 cents per minute. Also you can buy credits using Google wallet or credit card.

Edited May 29, 2013 by Jollygoodfellow
removed double content