The company behind the Internet phone gadget magicJack has another trick up its sleeve: free phone calls from computers, smartphones and iPads.
The cost of phone calls routed over the Internet has been on a long slide. Many programs allow free calling between computers, and some allow free, but short, calls to regular phone numbers.
MagicTalk would go one better by eliminating fees for calling landline and cell phones in the U.S. and Canada, with no time limits. VocalTec Communications Ltd. can do it because it operates as a phone company and can charge other phone companies for calls placed to magicTalk and magicJack numbers.
The software will be available next week for Windows and Mac computers. Versions for smartphones will follow.