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GMate: Turn your iPod Touch to an iPhone

Yup, that’s true. You can even turn your iPhone 4 to a dual-SIM phone too. Got this GMate by SkyRoam the other month but since my 4G iPod Touch and iPad2 have not been jailbroken, I wasn’t able to use it.

Since yesterday’s release of the jailbreak for iOS 5, I’ve been using the GMate with my iPod Touch 4G.

What GMate does is provide cellular functionality to an iPod Touch, iPad or even the iPhone. The cellular service includes phone calls, SMS and mobile internet (just EDGE though).

The GMate connects to the iDevices via Bluetooth, has it’s own internal battery which lasts about a day and a regular SIM card slot. The device charges via a micro-USB port.

Once your device is jailbroken, you will need to add the GMate App and connect both devices via Bluetooth. You then tuck away the GMate in your pocket or backpack while using the cellular functions. The device will still work fine even if you’re 10 feet away from it.

If you don’t any other Apple products, you can still use the GMate with an Android device (same principle and similar Android app is used).

This is great when you have a spare SIM you want to use but don’t have a spare phone. I’m thinking of using this during my 2 week seminar in Germany this March. I’d buy a local SIM, insert it on the GMate, accept SMS from my Globe number on the iPhone and send SMS via the GMate. Should be less expensive in the long run.

When used on an iPhone or an Android phone, the GMate’s cellular functions are attached to the app. That means the app needs to run in the background all the time and uses a separate contact list you need to populate (it can import SIM card contact numbers though).

My only issue with the GMate is that it only supports GPRS and EDGE mobile internet connection so using a data SIM with it will be impractical and slow.

Could be more attractive to people who have or can only afford an iPod Touch but not an iPhone. The dual-SIM function for the iPhone 4 and 3GS also makes it a worthy buy.

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Avatar for Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

148 Responses

  1. Avatar for Dex Montano Dex Montano says:

    Sir Abe san po kaya pwedeng makabili nito?ang how much po?

  2. Avatar for Joshua Bolotaolo Joshua Bolotaolo says:

    sayang… kaso nanakaw yung ipod touch q! kakaasar!

  3. Avatar for Tatou Tatou says:

    I bought Gmate bluetooth dual sim transformer on www.simore.ch website and it works like a charm. Very easy to install & to connect in bluetooth.

  4. Avatar for sammy sammy says:

    I saw an ad on this group buying site selling gmate for only 3900? is this legit? this is the link http://www.dealshappy.com/details.php?id=40

  5. Avatar for Gino Gino says:

    While you are deciding, it is best to update to iOS 5.0.1 now while Jailbreak is still possible. Apple will soon stop signing iOS 5.0.1 restorations. It is also advisable to finish your Jailbreak tweaks like installing Gmate while the Apple ticket is still open. This way if a problem occurs, you can start over with a fresh restoration. That is something you cannot do if Apple stops signing.

  6. Avatar for Gino Gino says:

    I’m guessing (since I don’t own a fake) that if it works now it will continue to work. If you are encountering issues then you are stuck with those issues. This is because the new client and firmware updates will have authenticity verification.

    You will also miss out on possible enhancements. Like I submitted a request to integrate notifications into the iOS 5.0.1 status menu bar like the stock iOS 5.0.1 notifications.

  7. Avatar for anakti anakti says:

    what will happen to the unit if will be a fake?

  8. Avatar for Annie Annie says:

    Goodnews!

    Latest Client Version 0.7.4
    it already has DEVICE VERIFICATION.it verifies hardware authenticity. This is a resolution to avoid “fake” Gmates. If it happens that you own a fake one then you’ll get stuck with whatever Gmate issues you have.

    Good Job skyroam people!
    visit www.gmatephilippines.com for their official dealers here in the Philippines.

  9. Avatar for Gino Gino says:

    This is their Manila distributor. They sell direct or can refer to a dealer near you.

    +63 917 412 2037
    68A Kundiman St.
    San Francisco Del Monte
    Quezon City

  10. Avatar for Elvis Elvis says:

    Sir saan po Pwedeng makabili ng gmate dati po yata may sale kayo dito.

    Tnx

  11. Avatar for Gino Gino says:

    Gmate works with iPad 2. I got it working. Jailbreak just released today. A new Gmate firmware is also available.

  12. Avatar for Gino Gino says:

    Click Gmate Home icon. Click Settings>Internet Settings. Put Globe’s apn, Try with proxy off. If it doesn’t work, you may need to put globe’s dns in the Proxy field. Ask Globe or skyroam.com for port no.

  13. Avatar for Anne Anne says:

    I bought gmate awhile ago and I can’t activate the internet by using it. I’m using globe sim card. please help me to activate it. thank you so much :D

  14. Avatar for Gino Gino says:

    That is good to hear. Thank you for the heads up. I will update now.

  15. Avatar for slimzky slimzky says:

    FYI,

    Latest update available

    Client Version 0.7.4
    Gmate Software Version 4.13.1

    The good thing is, it fixed my sound issue!!

    Kudos to their developers!

  16. Avatar for jeannie jeannie says:

    Yuga,

    I bought Gmate yesterday but the problem is i can’t access the internet using it. I put the correct APN for smartbuddy (internet) but no good.. ms not-so-techy here.

  17. Avatar for maan maan says:

    kuya gino,kuya yuga ask lng po if gmate will create a “phonebook” in my ipod? where a can search my contacts? pg may 2mwag po b skin o ngtxt number nya po b o name ang lalabas? cnsya n po noob.

    • Avatar for slimzky slimzky says:

      may “Import” option ang contacts ng Gmate. OS yung nasa Simcard mo pwedeng ma-import in just “one-click”. So pag may nagtext or tumawag, name nila ang lalabas.

    • Avatar for Gino Gino says:

      Kung ano ang nasa Contacts ng iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad/Android device mo yun ang gagamitin ng Gmate. Kagay ng sinabi ni Slimzky, kung may contact names ka sa sim mismo, mayroong Import function ang Gmate.

  18. Avatar for Wljay Wljay says:

    Guys, ask ko lang, talaga bang nagkaka problema ang pag connect with other bluetooth device (bluetooth headphone) pag naka install yung gmate? kasi nag test run ako ng installation sa cydia and my bluetooth was disabled …

  19. Avatar for Adrian Adrian says:

    I hope there’ll be a 3G or 4G that’ll come out. :)

  20. Avatar for radzi radzi says:

    hi guys! official ba yung facebook page ng gmate? ng inquire kasi ako dun at nagpa reserve when their 4k php prom was still on. and now im in touch via emails with them (s****@****.***) and said they can sell me the gadget still at 4k +free shipping. Authentic kaya ito? baka kasi bogus.. and can anyone send me the link to the official PH site? thanks!

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