In a terse exchange with the New York Times, Melinda Gates, wife of billionaire tech playboy William Gates, says she’s all but banned Apple products from the Garden of Eden—er, her household. More »
Bill Gates is on another charitable streak through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with a $US100,000 investment to find a way to fight childhood malaria with chocolate and gum. More »
In order to thwart the spread of HIV in India, “condom a cappella” has been released by an organisation that’s funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. A ringtone that’s meant to promote safe sex, we thought that it might consist of a crying babies, nasty bodily functions or soliloquies from one’s parents, but instead the ringer is a chant of “condom, condom!” And as everyone knows, if people chant a word on a mobile phone ringer, its correlating concept is immediately embraced by the youth of the world. [breitbart]
While everyone this week spent time recognising Bill’s achievements, I’d like to recognise Mrs. Bill, Melinda Gates. In a quarter-century’s time, after her husband has shuffled offstage at the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm clutching his gong, after the applause has died down, those people who like to discuss such things will say, “It was the wife wot won it.”
Bill Gates puts up with us, having granted us three interviews in the past three and a half years. It’s an intense experience: Bill isn’t always fond of making eye contact, and is known to snap at reporters who ask dumb questions. After all, he’s not just the Andrew Carnegie–or Emperor Palpatine–of his time. He’s also a guy who gets interviewed a hell of a lot, and doesn’t stand for bush-league Q&A. But we have always enjoyed the guys company and even have had the opportunity to make him laugh a few times. Here’s a quick look back at our three Bill interviews, in a Retromodo re-run fashion:
What’s a Bill Gates sendoff without this January’s CES video interview with the man? That there’s the full 20 minutes–digitally remastered and with all of my awkward stuttering intact. If you just want to re-live the juiciest bits, including the famous “What Did Bill Just Say About Windows?” moment, you can pick and choose from the list: Part 1 – On the difference between Microsoft and Apple Part 2 – On his changing public image Part 3 – What he worries about most Part 4 – On Windows Vista maybe, just maybe, sucking -Video and Digital Remastering by Chris Mascari
Bill Gates is officially “transitioning” from Microsoft this week, but really, he checked out a long time ago. His Big Hairy Vision isn’t just modernising the world anymore–it’s saving it. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the world’s largest charitable foundation, with a current asset trust endowment of US$37.3 billion. Last year, it gave away US$2 billion. Its work is divided into three major programs: Global Development, Global Health and United States. It’s not your average charity though–and not just because two of its three trustees, Bill and Warren (no last names needed) constantly jockey for the title of world’s richest man. It’s the smartest. And that’s why it just might succeed.
Bill Gates wrinkled his nose at me. “You just squished your question.”
One of the most fascinating profiles I’ve read this year is the Melinda Gates cover story from Fortune. She’s here at Walt and Kara’s All Things D Conference to talk about The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where Bill will be directing most of his energy come July. Although this is not directly gadget related, I’m excited to hear how Microsofties make philanthropy happen in their own way.
