A cellular handset and video game manipulator has first and second beam generators projecting first and second beams from a selected surface of the handset. First and second detectors proximate the selected surface detect first and second manual interactions of a user with the beams. Command logic coupled to the first and second detectors interprets a first manual interaction preceding a second manual interaction as a downstroke command and interprets a second manual interaction preceding a first manual interaction as an upstroke command. The command logic is adapted to be coupled to a game controller to transmit the downstroke and upstroke commands as input to a video game, such as a guitar simulation. The player enjoys natural strumming and fretting techniques without reducing the utility of the phone for use as a cellular telephone. Network connectivity is provided to enable use in multi-player games employing a game server which further connects to a large display or monitor associated with a conventional game platform.