| When I look over the statistics and see the Google | | | | is harassing you fill out a police report, send that to us |
| search terms for my blog, one of the larger keyword | | | | and we'll block the number" solution. I don't know why |
| phrases I see is "how to use MagicJack with call | | | | but the phone companies just wouldn't do it, or if they |
| blocking or caller ID." And I've good news and bad | | | | did not without a substantial fee. Internet based phone |
| news. Officially, MagicJack does have caller ID and | | | | companies like MagicJack and Vonage aren't offering |
| doesn't have call blocking. But there are a few nifty | | | | the service either. I was with Vonage for five solid |
| free tricks you can easily do to have those functions. | | | | years and no matter how much we complained they |
| Since caller ID is the easiest let's do that first. | | | | just wouldn't do it. |
| MagicJack essentially keeps a log of all incoming (and | | | | To the rescue comes a couple of internet solutions. |
| outgoing) calls. And basically you just need to label the | | | | The best solution to block calls is and (at the same |
| numbers. Once the numbers are labeled whenever | | | | time) isn't available. It used to be called Grand Central. |
| you get a call from the number again you'll be able to | | | | They issue you a phone number and you link it up to all |
| identify the caller. So there you go "caller ID." It's easy, | | | | your personal phone numbers. The phone number they |
| but a little bit of a speed bump. I think the real thing | | | | give you acts as a first line of defense; you can then |
| people want is the ability to identify "unknown callers." | | | | block incoming calls, reroute them to your a number of |
| Guess what though? If the person calling you has | | | | choice, or send them to voicemail. Again, it's free. But |
| chosen to hide their number you wouldn't be able to | | | | currently it's being rebuilt as "Google Voice." I strongly |
| see it anyway. So back to square one no matter what | | | | urge MagicJack users, and really everybody, to sign up |
| phone service you use. | | | | for a Google Alert to let you know when the service |
| But I understand where all this leads; getting calls from | | | | goes live again. In March of 2009 they announced they |
| unknown callers makes you want something to block | | | | were nearly ready. And coupled with a service like |
| them. And again, "regular" phone companies aren't | | | | MagicJack which is only 20 dollars a year (or a dollar a |
| really furnishing this service as much as they used to. I | | | | month if you use it the way I do) it's the most powerful |
| remember in the 90's being able to get call blocking | | | | and inexpensive phone/voicemail/texting combination |
| and then the phone companies seemed to have | | | | you can get. |
| stopped offering it and started giving out a "if the caller | | | | |