A key component of the MagicJack experience is the software you must use with it. Here's an quick overview of what you can expect when you plug it into your Mac:
First Impression: It seems the Mac version of the software is just a port of the Windows version. It is definitely not Mac native. Visually, it's kinda ugly -- but I'm just being superficial (I'm a graphic designer after all). If there were the ability to create new skins for the interface, I could definitely make it look sleeker. There's a button that shrinks the window to a smaller size, but it doesn't really make a difference unless you have a small screen. Generally, I just minimize the window in the Dock and forget about it. That window maximizes automatically when you initiate or receive a call.
Functionality: It does the job. Caller ID pops up fine. There are options to switch to a headset (which I use to access voice mail from the computer). Since this is not Mac native, there aren't the usual keyboard shortcuts you can use for specific commands -- everything has to be done through the mouse.
Contacts: Contacts can be added at any time, but it seems to be easiest to turn a call into a contact by editing it. That way, you don't have to type in the number again. You can use your computer to make a call -- you just have to make sure your phone has a dial tone before using the computer to "beep in" the numbers. Unfortunately, you cannot automatically add Contacts in your Address Book to the MagicJack list, and if you are forced to reformat your MagicJack, you will obviously lose your entire Contacts database and Call Log history.
Call Log: This is actually pretty cool. It keeps track of all outgoing and incoming calls (with little triangles showing the difference between each), and the duration of each one. The calls are color coded to indicate which you accepted and which you haven't. Unfortunately, you can't set up a "automatic reject" caller ID list to weed out telemarketers -- but that's not a big deal for me.
The "Ad": I don't see why people complain about this. Basically, the left hand side of the window is devoted to a banner ad, which for now consists of MagicJack house ads. Obviously, in the future it could show ads outside of MagicJack, but for now, it's neither intrusive nor an eyesore (since you can minimize the window at any time). In my view, if ads make the service more affordable, advertise away.
Links and Call Status: The top middle of the window is devoted to your call status and bookmark links to your MagicJack settings and weather. I never use the links, personally.
Mac-friendliness: You cannot put the Mac to sleep with the MagicJack; it has caused kernel panics upon waking up. I just let the display turn off after a set amount of time to save the backlight; otherwise, the Mac is kept on or shut down when I don't want calls.
Compatibility: MagicJack doesn't seem to slow down my computer (granted, I have a Mac Pro), and I have not seen any software conflicts between it and other programs. The only unusual glitch: When I try to open some plain text files, it activates MagicJack instead of TextEdit, which forces me to drag the document over the TextEdit icon in the dock to "force" it to open in the correct program.
Initial Grade: C+
Hey, the software works on Leopard without crashing as long as you don't put it to sleep. And for its main job (making calls on your phone) it works perfectly well. However, it has a long way to go to earn an A. Some improvements I recommend include:
1. Fixing the caller ID issue
2. Saving Contacts and Call Log in a backup text file in case the MagicJack needs reformatting
3. Cleaning up the visual interface to look more "Mac native" (or at least the ability to create or choose different skins)
4. A true "small window" view that hides the keypad and/or Call Log, like in iTunes.
5. Keyboard shortcuts for commands, and the ability to import your Address Book contacts and/or sync them with your MagicJack
Functionality: It does the job. Caller ID pops up fine. There are options to switch to a headset (which I use to access voice mail from the computer). Since this is not Mac native, there aren't the usual keyboard shortcuts you can use for specific commands -- everything has to be done through the mouse.
Contacts: Contacts can be added at any time, but it seems to be easiest to turn a call into a contact by editing it. That way, you don't have to type in the number again. You can use your computer to make a call -- you just have to make sure your phone has a dial tone before using the computer to "beep in" the numbers. Unfortunately, you cannot automatically add Contacts in your Address Book to the MagicJack list, and if you are forced to reformat your MagicJack, you will obviously lose your entire Contacts database and Call Log history.
Call Log: This is actually pretty cool. It keeps track of all outgoing and incoming calls (with little triangles showing the difference between each), and the duration of each one. The calls are color coded to indicate which you accepted and which you haven't. Unfortunately, you can't set up a "automatic reject" caller ID list to weed out telemarketers -- but that's not a big deal for me.
The "Ad": I don't see why people complain about this. Basically, the left hand side of the window is devoted to a banner ad, which for now consists of MagicJack house ads. Obviously, in the future it could show ads outside of MagicJack, but for now, it's neither intrusive nor an eyesore (since you can minimize the window at any time). In my view, if ads make the service more affordable, advertise away.
Links and Call Status: The top middle of the window is devoted to your call status and bookmark links to your MagicJack settings and weather. I never use the links, personally.
Mac-friendliness: You cannot put the Mac to sleep with the MagicJack; it has caused kernel panics upon waking up. I just let the display turn off after a set amount of time to save the backlight; otherwise, the Mac is kept on or shut down when I don't want calls.
Compatibility: MagicJack doesn't seem to slow down my computer (granted, I have a Mac Pro), and I have not seen any software conflicts between it and other programs. The only unusual glitch: When I try to open some plain text files, it activates MagicJack instead of TextEdit, which forces me to drag the document over the TextEdit icon in the dock to "force" it to open in the correct program.
Initial Grade: C+
Hey, the software works on Leopard without crashing as long as you don't put it to sleep. And for its main job (making calls on your phone) it works perfectly well. However, it has a long way to go to earn an A. Some improvements I recommend include:
1. Fixing the caller ID issue
2. Saving Contacts and Call Log in a backup text file in case the MagicJack needs reformatting
3. Cleaning up the visual interface to look more "Mac native" (or at least the ability to create or choose different skins)
4. A true "small window" view that hides the keypad and/or Call Log, like in iTunes.
5. Keyboard shortcuts for commands, and the ability to import your Address Book contacts and/or sync them with your MagicJack
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