I’d like to recommend a product I recently purchased. Its called Magic Jack. For $40 (which includes the first year of service), you get unlimited calls in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. It connects to the usb port of your Intel Mac or PC and you can connect it to any phone or use your computer speakers, unlike Vonage which requires special equipment. Subsequent charges are $20 a year or 5 years for $60.

It was simple to install and use. Voice quality was crystal clear. The only negative is that your computer must be on to use the product. You get voice mail, and free directory assistance and 911 service.

I know most people get unlimited service from their cable or cell company but if you don’t, I’ve found this a good service. You can even take the Magic Jack with you when you travel- which gives you a local number no matter where you are if you connect it to your laptop.

You can buy it at any CVS and other stores or online.

Is audio just through the computer speakers/mic? Or do you need some kind of headset?

I've got one coming to review. Sounds like a great product!

One thing about MagicJack that may or may not be a problem for you is that they cannot port your phone number to the MagicJack.

Foster Braun did a eval of Magic Jack as well. You can read his blog here

http://fosterbraun.wordpress.com/

Between he and Terry you should have a very detailed evaluation.

quote:

Is audio just through the computer speakers/mic? Or do you need some kind of headset?

Audio comes from wherever you want- either thru the phone or your computer speakers or a headset.

One problem I did notice is that I set my computer to go to sleep each nite and when I woke it up in the morning, it froze and I had to do a hard restart. I tried it twice with the same effect when Magic Jack was connected. So now I just put the screen to sleep, not the whole computer and there are no more problems with freezing. This problem did not occur on a restart or power off/on situation.

When I updated to OS 10.5.8, MagicJack stopped working for me. I spend an hour online with a rep and he resolved the problem by sending me an update to MagicJack and restarting it from his end. It was annoying but they were persistant in resolving the problem and I guess you can't ask for more.