1. Lady Gaga
Last week, the pop diva made a high-profile appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, sporting some Polaroid sunglasses. Signed up by Polaroid as its creative director, Gaga showcased several gadgets she had ‘inspired’ and worked on as part of her ‘Grey Label by Haus of Gaga’ collection.
The GL20 sunglasses allow the wearer to take pictures, record videos and watch them back – using two small screens which are placed in front of each eye. She also unveiled a mobile photo printer and a new camera at the one of the technology industry’s annual highlight events.
2. Dr Dre
In July 2008, the rapper and record producer, launched his high-performance brand of headphones called Beats by Dr Dre. The statement headphones became an instant hit and gained a cult following, especially by those falling for Dre’s advertising line, who just ‘wanted to hear music the way the rap star did’. He then struck a deal with HP and diversified the Beats brand by launching a branded laptop.
3. Peter Gabriel
The British musician has become quite immersed in the tech scene since leaving the tour bus behind him. His most high profile investment to date is in We7, a British digital music streaming service. It still has yet to make as bigger splash as its main rival Spotify, but hopes in the next year, that its internet radio tool lifts its popularity.
4. Lou Reed
The American rock musician, best known as the guitarist, vocalist and songwriter of The Velvet Underground, has also dabbled in developing mobile phone apps in his later years. In 2009, he created a special iPhone app for the visually impaired. Called Lou Zoom, it cost $1.99 and helps magnify words on the phone screen. Lou Zoom "brings style and clarity to your contacts," while allowing you "to read your contact info without squinting," Reed said at the time.
5. Bob Geldof
The former Boomtown Rats singer reinvented himself as an online travel agent over a decade ago, when setting up Deckchair.com, a cheap airline ticket vendor. After the dotcom bubble burst, he was forced to sell the site on to rival business, World Travel Holdings, in 2001. He has also co-founded two TV production companies, one of which, Ten Alps, which he still owns and operates today.
