The new magicJack uses, without permission, radio frequencies for which cellular carriers have paid billions of dollars for exclusive licenses.

YMax Corp., which is based in Palm Beach, Fla., said this week at the International Consumers Electronics Show that it plans to start selling the device in about four months for $40, the same price as the original magicJack. As before, it will provide free calls to the U.S. and Canada for one year.

The device is, in essence, a very small cellular tower for the home.

The size of a deck of cards, it plugs into a PC, which needs a broadband Internet connection. The device then detects when a compatible cell phone comes within 8 feet, and places a call to it. The user enters a short code on the phone. The phone is then linked to the magicJack, and as long as it's within range (YMax said it will cover a 3,000-square-foot home) magicJack routes the call itself, over the Internet, rather than going through the carrier's cellular tower. No minutes are subtracted from the user's account with the carrier. Any extra fees for international calls are subtracted from the user's account with magicJack, not the carrier.

Would like to try it out. At home we are so disgruntled and disillusioned with all of our providers (cellular and land lines) that this would be worth a shot.

The Nexus One is a sharp-looking smartphone, but, as nice as it is, it is the least significant thing that Google announced today. The real news is Google's online store, and what it means for the US wireless industry.

What's that URL?
http://google.com/phone
And what could it mean?
A world where the power is not in the hands of the carrier ... but in the hands of the consumer. In Canada that would be huge... and perhaps even an impossibility.
A wireless world based on network quality and speed and professional customer service... Pinch me - I think I am dreaming!
I am.
But for how long?