© Sciulli / WireImage.comParis Hilton and her trusty Sidekick.
Toys for Celebs
Must-have gadgets that stars can't live without By Ian Hodder
Special to MSN Entertainment
The key to living large comes in small packages. Gadgets, from the chicest-ever cell phone to the game gizmo that has Hollywood drooling, are more than just high-tech accessories. For celebrities, electronic tools and toys are must-have devices for passing time on the set, keeping tabs on their peeps, and inciting envy among the techno have-nots. And of course, not just any phone, camera or player will do: Only the coolest product du jour draws
JLo's attention. So whether you make calls to Spielberg or take calls from customers, these gadgets are great ways to sprinkle your daily routine with star style.
Motorola Razr V3
As thin as
Renée Zellweger between
"Bridget Jones" flicks, as silver-frosted as
Gwen Stefani's mane, the Motorola Razr V3 cell phone ($499, plus service) has been a Tinseltown starlet unto itself since its November premiere. Ideal for an industry obsessed with svelteness, the Razr weighs an anorexic 3.3 ounces and, even when flipped shut, boasts a teeny 0.5-inch profile. Packed with plenty to appease one's inner nerd -- Bluetooth, camera, full-color display, e-mail, Web surfing, plus good-ol' voice communication -- the Razr discreetly says, "Vertu who?" (Vertu being Nokia's line of ultra-luxe phones.) Next up: Motorola will soon introduce a special-edition black Razr V3, which
Clint Eastwood,
Jamie Foxx, and other A-listers recently received in their Academy Award gift baskets. Find yours at Cingular.
T-Mobile Sidekick II
Paris Hilton must really love her T-Mobile Sidekick II ($300, plus service). While the tech-embracing heiress has kicked to the curb many a fellow --
Ed Furlong and
Nick Carter, included -- she remains loyal to her beloved Sidekick, even after an alleged hacker released to the public her contact list and some rather racy photos. Though highly effective as a publicity tool, the Sidekick is intended for use as a combo PDA, instant messenger and (albeit clunky) cell phone, as demonstrated in TV ads featuring Paris,
Snoop Dogg and other famous Sidekickers.
Apple iPod U2 Special Edition
For the elitist celebrity, iPods present a problem: Every music lover needs one of the digital-tunes devices, but the ubiquity of the white boxes depletes their exclusivity. Solution: the iPod
U2 Special Edition ($349). Covetable not for its preloaded songs from Bono & Co., but for the distinctive black-and-red color scheme, plus engraved band-member signatures, the U2 iPod is often sold-out at stores. If you (or your assistant) can't procure one, personalize a standard-issue iPod ($299, 20-gigabyte drive) with a print-your-own "tattoo" from HP Digital Music (designs, free; unprinted stickers, $14.99 for 10) or laser-etch your own name (gratis, with Apple.com purchase) on the flip side.
Sony PlayStation Portable
According to the buzz, Sony's brand-new PlayStation Portable (around $400, depending on bundled media) and its 4.3-inch screen will do for games and movies what Apple's iPod did for digital music. And where there's buzz, celebrities are certain to flock.
Hilary Duff,
Alyssa Milano and other glitterati scooped up PSPs at a recent Sony party in Los Angeles. Jennifer Lopez, wearing her designer hat, has jumped on the bandwagon, fashioning a fur pouch to keep PSPs cozy, and hip clothiers Marc Jacobs and Heatherette also created accessories for the handheld entertainers. But while Sony factories race to meet demand, don't bother with fancy accessories -- if you can get your mitts on a PSP, don't cover it up, flaunt it.