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Home » GMate: Turn your iPod Touch to an iPhone

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 by 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.

Abe Olandres
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.
  1. now this is more convenient than the apple peel, right?

  2. Steep.

  3. alright :D

  4. I use cpeel for my i touch before i bought myself moto droid razr…well in my opinion, id rather choose cpeel before gmate for. The later, it uses bluetooth which is additional power drainer for i touch. Probably one should bring himself an extra battery pack for the i touch to last long. By the way, cpeel can charge i touch using its own battery. I hope gmate cam be an external battery pack charger.

  5. This is cool! :) Thanks for the tip!

  6. Is it really hard to jailbreak your ipod?
    I had my ipod jailbroken before but the technician told me not to leave my ipod battery empty or else I have to take it back to them and they will restart/re-activate my ipod and pay them 100 Php. I don’t think this is fair. So I decided not to avail their services.

  7. Abe, what’s the case on your Note?

  8. Yes…its very easy to jailbreak an i touch…look for the jailbreak here in yugatech where you just have to click an app the your i touch is jailbroken…but it should be version 4.3.3 ( if i remeber that right). And my i touch been battery enptied many times, still its jailbroken…in technical terms’ unthethered. (No need to jailbreak even if battery is drained).

  9. Sir Abe,

    Can this be use in a Blackberry Playbook?

  10. ask ko lng ha. . hnd kac ako techie….
    kahit nokia 2730classic lng phone ko and using iPod Touch .. pede?

  11. ah ..na gets ko na ^_^ hehehe

  12. Android user here with an iTouch (call it swinging, yeah!) Stupid question – why do you need to jailbreak the iTouch to use the Gmate? It says it connects via bluetooth…

    Many possibilities here. With my Android I can have an additional 2 phones.

  13. for any questions or inquiry you can email us at s****@****.***

  14. I have used gmate when my iPod touch was 4.03
    pero after update ayaw na mag install properly ng gmate app…

  15. @sonofa: where did you buy your gmate? if its not one from our authorized dealers then you might be having some problems installing or updating the gmate app. since there are some sellers who sell fake gmate and will not receive any support from gmate.. so visit http://www.gmatephilippines.com for more info and list of authorized dealers.

  16. @Yugatech / Gmate users,

    Did you also notice a decrease in the system volume when playing music / videos while Gmate client is running in the background? It gets louder and back to normal as soon as you QUIT Gmate.

    My iPod Touch is also running on iOS 5.0.1

  17. @gmate
    I bought it from metrodeals… I paid 4800 for it… naisahan nga ako eh… anyways… sa web ko dinowload yung app so its working… sa Android may problem siya since sometimes the gmate app hangs… pero sa ios I redownloaded it and it works fine na..

  18. how about the way of talking to ipod touch? is it necessary to use headphone or in speakerphone since ipod touch has no built in earpiece…

  19. @Romspl
    Nakabaliktad… Nakaharap sa bibig mo yung camera… While nakaharap sa tenga mo yung speakers niya… Nahihiya nga ako minsan so I cover the whole iPod with my hands… Weird kasi tignan…

  20. After installing Gmate in iOS 5.0.1 on iPod Touch 4, Cydia quits when adding source, login into account, and search. How is your experience?

    Gmate works ok. It is just that it messes up ny Cydia.

    I used a downloaded ipsw and Redsnow b3.

  21. What tool did you (Yuga) ise to Jailbreak ios 5.0.1? I am trying to isolate the problem with Cydia quitting.

  22. Cool, can this be use in a Samsung Galaxy S Wifi 5.0?

  23. It works on my ZTE V9. Internet would not work on stock rom. I needed to root to get internet working.

  24. Hi Abe, thanks for the reply. Checked out the M-fit website. Dami palang variations. Can you kindly state which one is yours? Is it just the leather case or the one with the stand?

  25. With This device you canot use any other Bluetooth device like Hand free on your phone, iPod or iPad
    !!
    For me ors a Very big lack…
    Regards

  26. Can we use an original ipod headset with MIC to avoid using the ‘inverted’ ipod workaround?

  27. Kuya Abe, pwede ba tong mag text kahit saang Cellphone?

  28. Sobrang Mahal sa gmatephilippines 5700 daw pag sa dealers, 5000 pag direct sa kanila :(

  29. Yuga, what Jailbreak tool did you use for iOS 5.0.1? Gmate crashes my Cydia on my iPod touch 4. However, Gmate continues to work fine.

  30. I fixed it. After updating the iPod Touch 4 to iOS 5.0.1, I set it up as a New iPod. That did the trick. After JB and installing Gmate, Cydia continued to work.

    The downside is I lost my camera roll. Anyone know how I can extract them from iTunes’ photo cache?

  31. To Yuga, Gmate, and to “Gmate user”, and all Gmate w/ipod 4g owners:

    Napansin nyo din po ba yung slight decrease sa volume when playing music? tapos kapag ni-lock ko, o pinindot ko yung home button, medyo lalakas ulit tapos babalik na sa dati (decreased volume)

    i am using ipod touch 4g , iOs 5.0.1

    hindi ko napansin yung issue nung ios 4.2 pa ang gamit ko. sana makatulong kayo sa pag verify.

    p.s.
    when i disabled gmate, the sound volume turned back to normal.

    while im typing this, nakikinig ako ng music using loudspeaker.
    biglang may nagtext, at mas malakas pa ang SMS volume kesa music kaya narinig ko talaga.

    siguro they did this on purpose???

    thanks!

  32. Lumabas na update kahapon. Try updating then see if the problem persists. I had submitted some concerns before and they immediately incorporated in the next update. Ang galing ng support nila. Attentive sa user. Very professional. May online ticketing pa for support.

  33. For your info. the regular price of gmate is 99USD so that would be 4300PHP from exclusive distributor na yun huh ng Skyroam talaga which is the founder of Gmate.So For those who are selling gmate lower than that will probably experience tech problems kasi hindi sila makakapagupdate ng firmware.. kasi nga fake at wala pa silang support.. Mura nga but still lugi naman kau kung may problema nabili niyo tapos hindi maaayos.

    I got mine sa Netgear trading sa Philippines dealer daw sila from gmatephippines. naintindihan ko namn kung bakit mahal kasi insured naman ako na my one year warranty ako at may support talaga.

  34. tanong po, pano pag hinde connected ung gmate sa itouch, marerecieved mo pa rin ba ung text pag nakaconnect na??

  35. can anyone give info on the duration of battery of itouch when using this unit?

  36. What’s the minimum iPod, version 4?
    THNX

  37. New application and firmware released today.

    Client Version 0.6.1 and Gmate Software Version 4.12.8. I didnn’t know what these would do because mine had been trouble-free. It remained trouble-free.

  38. Can i use this gmate with my itouch 2nd and 3rd gen? Thanks

  39. 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!

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

  41. 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 …

  42. 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.

  43. 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.

  44. 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!

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

  46. 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

  47. 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.

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

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

    Tnx

  50. 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

  51. 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 http://www.gmatephilippines.com for their official dealers here in the Philippines.

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

  53. 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.

  54. 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.

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

  56. sayang… kaso nanakaw yung ipod touch q! kakaasar!

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

  58. Meron na sa Applewerkz. Google mo branches sa Katipunan, Alabang, etc.

  59. Does it still work (receive calls and texts) even when the screen is locked?

  60. How to set APN settings for TM and Talk and Text subscribers?

  61. Nice, I like your Germany idea, this would have been useful on my recent Japan trip as well. Question: Can you still use a bluetooth headset while this is connected?

  62. @Lee, yes it receives calls and messages. You get a notification popup.

    @muzikfreakah, no you cannot use a Bluetooth headset with an Apple device. You can use it with an Android device (unconfirmed).

  63. Ask ko lang po… Kung nkbili ng gmate, how would you know if its orig po or fake kung sa harap mismo ng client sinet-up un gmate with the. Gadget…..??? Hopin for a response. Thankyouuu

  64. Install ka ng Gmate app muna. Consult how to install it at http://www.skyroam.com. Make sure you only get the Gmate client from the official repo in Cydia.

    Siyempre dapat Jailbroken na ang device mo. Then punta ka official vendor ng Gmate and testing mo. Kung gumana, orig yun.

    Kung vendor ang naginstall ng Gmate client at hindi gumamit ng Cydia, magduda ka na.

  65. pano po gagawing jailbroken ung ipod touch ko?

  66. does gmate requires the ipod to be jailbroken?

  67. Yes kailangan jailbreak. The client app can only be downloaded from Cydia which is installed by Jailbreaking.

    Consult applei.ph or Jailbreaking or have it done at Greenhills.

  68. good day Abe,

    1)do i have to root my Galaxy Note for this to work?
    2)older iTouch works right? i have a Jailbroken itouch 2G MC model.

  69. Sms and voice call will work with stock Android rom. You will need to root to activate EDGE internet. Since your Note is a phone then this device need not use its internet.

    The iPod Touch 2G is no in the list of supported devices. You can try to install the client app from Cydia following skyroam’s guides and test at the store.

    Supported devies:

    iPod Touch 4
    iPad 1
    iPad 2
    iPhone 3GS
    iPhone 4
    iPhone 4S

  70. bought gmate @ 5500 here in baguio. got an iphone 4G, 4.11.08 ios 5.0.1. sometimes can’t accept incoming calls when pressed “accept” to a call. also, have to charge my iphone battery which drains fast. gmate battery has no problem since it lasts 3 days. my iphone battery lasts 1.5 days at most

  71. Client Version 1.0.3
    Gmate Software Version 5.1.5

    Bakit po di ako maka call, eto po error…

    (Your Gmate needs verification to make phone calls.)

    kapag verify ko naman sa Device Verification eto po error…

    (Your Gmate can not be verified due to territory restrictions, please contact your seller immediately.)

    Please help…

  72. nabasa ko lang dito:
    http://www.facebook.com/GmatePhilippines

    Gmate+ Update: Here’s the difference between the original Gmate and “fake” gmates!

    The Gmate client will ask for device verification to make phone calls both Incoming and outgoing calls.

    Original Gmate- After the verification process, you will see this pop-up message “Congratulation, your Gmate has been verified succesfully”

    Fake Gmate- After verification. you will see this error message, ” Your Gmate can not be verified due to territory restrictions, please contact your seller immediately.”

    So please buy from our authorized dealers! Don’t waste your P3000 for nothing. For those who bought counterfeit devices don’t tell us that we did not remind you for this.

  73. im using gmate on my ipod touch 4g, is there any way na makagamit ng btheadset while gmate is active? one more Q na rereplace po ba battery ng gmate ntin? sa tagal tagal hihina un lituim bat…
    Salamat:)

  74. how do you set up the internet access? mobile internet, globe’s prepaid SUPERSURF for example. tnx!

  75. Hi! Im using iphone4 from USA ung cdma version walang sim. kaya nga bumili ako ng gmate para magamit. ok naman ang lahat from sms to calls. ang kaso gusto ko din sana magamit ung internet. especially meron si sun na 50php unli browse na. kaso di ko alam paano set ung internet? sabi lang lagay daw minternet tas lalabas na ung “E” at magiging blue if online na. may other settings pa ba para gumana internet ko? kasi so far di naman naka blue ung “E” kaya kahit click ko ung safari no internet connection nalabas. ano po ba dapat kong gawin? salamat!

  76. ok ba ang gmate sa japan softbank iphone? bb. 5.1.1 firmware 4.12.0. gsto ko kasi sana bumili ng gmate bka hindi mgamit eh. nka unlock kasi itong iphone ko.

  77. ok ba ang gmate sa japan softbank iphone? bb. 5.1.1 firmware 4.12.0. gsto ko kasi sana bumili ng gmate bka hindi mgamit eh. nka unlock kasi itong iphone ko. reply po

  78. Hi! Question lng, parehas ba gumagana yung sim na may signal ng sabay?

  79. Hi, how’s the signal? Do you think it’s worth it kapag out of town na? Pwede ba sya sa Ipod 3rd gen?

  80. How about the battery guys? madali ba malowbat ang gmate and ipod touch 4 for instance. Nk’on Bluetooth nun all the time plus ngrrun un gmate app s background. kung fully charged both gmate and itouch4, ilang hours ittagal kung puro tx lng sa isang araw with several minutes of calls? no games or music sa ipod? thanks guys!

  81. Guys san makakabili ng Athentic Gmate help me naman pls. Thanks

  82. Authentic ba ang gmate sa seller na ito?
    outletstore.multiply.com

  83. Fabulous. I agree.

  84. sir. ask lang ako pde ba nag gmate sa softbank iphone 4. 32g tpos nka locked sa softbank. pls reply

  85. sir. ask lang ako pde ba nag gmate sa softbank iphone 4. 32g tpos nka locked sa softbank. pls reply..

  86. Hi,

    I got problem with using my gmate, i try to import contacts from my simcard that inserted on gmate. almost more than 2 hrs waiting copying from gmate to ipod touch 4th gen and theres nothing copy any contact from gmate. can u please help me how do i fix this?

    Thanks.

  87. Hi,

    I got problem with using my gmate, i try to import contacts from my simcard that already inserted on gmate device. almost more than 3 hrs waiting copying from gmate to ipod touch 4th gen and theres nothing copying any of contact from gmate. can u please help me how do i fix this problem?

    Client Version: 1.2.0
    Gmate Sotfware Version: 5.3.0
    Serial Number: HKSKAFCWS58C1dup
    Gmate BT Address: 48:C8:62:01:56:7F

    Thanks.

  88. Hi, sir question lang available b ang gmate s itouch5??tnx

  89. If you can jailbreak it will work. Jailbreak installs Cydia. You get the Gmate client from Cydia. At the monent you cannot JB iOS 6.1.3. There will be no Jailbreak for this. Devs are saving it for a major iOS release maybe iOS7.

    If you have iOS 6.1.2 or older it can be Jailbroken.

  90. Paano po magamit yung gmate sa itouch 5??? Thank you.

  91. Kung iOS 6.1.3 hindi mo majejailbreak. Hindi mo magagamit sa Gmate. Kung majejailbreak mo old iOS then pwede. Kailangan may Cydia app ka kasi para mainstall ang Gmate app.

  92. pwde pa bang idowngrade ang 6.1.3 to 5.1.1? iphone 4 32gb kase. 5.1.1 sya before naupdate. possible bang madowngrade ko pa? JB naman sya nung 5.1.1.

  93. Pwede kung na-save mo ang shsh file ng phone for iOS 5.1.1 before the update. If you have to ask what is shsh then panigurado hindi mo na save. To check, download TinyUmbrella and save your shsh. See if the 5.1.1 shsh files are stored in Cydia.

  94. Hi Abe!

    I hope your still checking in on this blog!

    I have one question :

    If my Gmate has been used for an iPhone, do I need to reprogram it to work with my Ipod Touch 4?

    Please please holla back . (:

  95. hello. may i ask how much does this gmate cost? and do i need to jailbreak my device for this? thank you :)

  96. Does gmate work on itouch 5. ?thank you and can this be a permanent attachment to the itouch for it to serve as a phone?

  97. I have problem with Gmate, is can’t refill balance, it’s unknown my balance code, how can i refill it? i use it with my Ipad4

  98. how much will it cost if i turn a ipod into a phone?

  99. hi there.
    idk if this is already been raised, but i want to know if i can use my data on gmate?if so, can you provide a step by step guide?

    thanks so much.

  100. the latest gmate sim device full name and its generation

  101. my i ask when i using gmate to my iphone4…when they calling they cannot hear my voice buy i can hear them?voice record to my iphone is working…who can help me about this prob….

  102. Is there any os upgrade of Gmate. They cannot hear me when I’m calling.

  103. This product is discontinued and no longer supported. Gmate is now offering Global roaming service with its product. It is just like a mifi now.

    My Gmate is now a paper weight. My new iOS doesn’t support it.

  104. I have a problem in terms of calls, when I tried calling someone, they can hear my voice but I can’t hear them. Is there any solution about that? I’m using Iphone4 Verizon

  105. Is this still in the market?

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