Calvin’s Hub

Most of you have heard of MagicJack already right? It’s that little VoIP box that uses your internet connection so you can call any number in the US & Canada using your handset for only $20 a year.

The problem with the current MagicJack is that if you want to bring it out in public, you have to lug around a clunky handset and you can only use one phone at a time. Doesn’t look sexy stashing a home phone in your laptop bag eh?

In CES 2010, the new MagicJack device which features femtocell technology was introduced. It’s the same little box you connect to your PC and uses your internet but this time, you can use any GSM mobile phone within range to make those calls without using up any of your plan’s minutes.

Femtocell technology is used to improve a cellular network’s coverage inside the house. It’s like having your own mini-cell tower to take care of dead cell spots at home or reduce the strain off your main network.

When applied into MagicJack, femtocell can share its VoIP features to mobile phones ,including locked ones, within range (3,000 square foot) and registered to it. If you plan to use it in public, you don’t have to worry about strangers hijacking to your MagicJack network because it will ask for a code before the phone can communicate with it.

The problem I see here is that you can’t use your own cell network and MagicJack’s at the same time so it’s better to use an old or spare phone you are not using. No sim card is required as far as I know so maybe dual-sim phones can be good here as well.

There are still many questions surrounding this new MagicJack and there’s no specific details yet on how to the whole thing really works but it’ll be interesting to try it when it comes out. MagicJack founder Dan Borislow, says this service will be out in four months and costs $40 including a year’s subscription worth $20.

What I would like is something that doesn’t require a PC. Just connect it to your router or have it hijack any available wireless network. Hehehe.

More reads:

• MagicJack Harnesses Femtocell for VoIP
• magicJack Femtocell Device Officially Announced

• I’m so unlucky with mobile phones
• 5 things you need to know before getting the Cherry Mobile Magnum HD
• adidas brings miCoach to iPhone and BlackBerry phones
• 5 things you should know before buying the Cherry Mobile Nova

Filed under: Gadgets n' Games