Gallery: 4 World-Changing Products Dreamed Up by Bill Gates
IAN ALLEN 201301Artefact-Juicebox-Ian-Allen-Wired-1
Artefact was tasked with inventing a portable power supply for homes living without access to an electrical grid.  Ian Allen
02Artefact-Juicebox-Ian-Allen-Wired-3
Their Juicebox solution accepts all manner of electrical inputs, and comes with a dynamo for converting mechanical energy into electricity...  Ian Allen
03juicebox-sketch-scan
...So, for example, you could hook a windmill to a belt drive, and use the belt drive to turn the dynamo's spindle.  Ian Allen
IAN ALLEN 201304Artefact-Juicebox-Ian-Allen-Wired-4
Artefact went through dozens of prototypes, seeing how the electrical components could realistically be fit together.  Ian Allen
IAN ALLEN 201305Artefact-Yield-Ian-Allen-Wired-4
New Deal Design was asked to create a "tricorder for farmers." But for the product, they referenced a classic farm implement: A walking stick.  Ian Allen
IAN ALLEN 201306Artefact-Yield-Ian-Allen-Wired-3
The bottom end would have sensors for moisture, pH, and nutrients, and would be activated by jabbing the staff into the ground.  Ian Allen
IAN ALLEN 201307Artefact-Yield-Ian-Allen-Wired-2
The sensors would communicate with a cellular-connected head. Here you can see the head's control ring: Turning it would activate a variety of information feeds, such as weather.  Ian Allen
IAN ALLEN 201308WiredWishList0443
Study models for the shapes and sizes of the head and sensor point. The main challenge was creating a head with a natural proportion for the hand, and a sensor with an attached tab that would allow the user to push it into the ground.  Ian Allen
09NewDeal-3
A sketch of the form factors.  Ian Allen
10Newdeal-1
An early sketch of New Deal's Yield concept.  Ian Allen
IAN ALLEN 201311Frog-HealthyBaby-Ian-Allen-Wired-3
Frog was asked to come up with a comprehensive kit for taking care of babies after birth.  Ian Allen
IAN ALLEN 201312Frog-HealthyBaby-Ian-Allen-Wired-4
Their concept, Healthy Baby, is a system of pre-natal vitamins, sterile birthing supplies, nutritional supplements, and scores of useful tools.  Ian Allen
IAN ALLEN 201313Frog-HealthyBaby-Ian-Allen-Wired-5
One brilliant detail: Frog created the kit with Uganda in mind, and Uganda is heavily Catholic. So one device they put into the kit was [CycleBeads](http://www.cyclebeads.com/), which help track fertility cycles and resemble a Rosary, thus allowing them to be used inconspicuously and intuitively.  Ian Allen
IAN ALLEN 201314Frog-HealthyBaby-Ian-Allen-Wired
The vitamin packs are color-coded to denote the passage of time.  Ian Allen
IAN ALLEN 201315Frog-HealthyBaby-Ian-Allen-Wired-2
There would also be an SMS service for asking questions about the pregnancy cycle and neonatal care.  Ian Allen
IAN ALLEN 201316Fuseproject-Kernel-Ian-Allen-Wired-2
Fuseproject came up with idea for making healthcare diagnostics part of everyday life.  Ian Allen
IAN ALLEN 201317Fuseproject-Kernel-Ian-Allen-Wired-1
Their concept, Kernel, would be a gadget for uploading body-fluid tests into the cloud, so that they could be remotely monitored. The device would come in the form of a necklace.  Ian Allen
1813-0925-Notebook-Page2
The first sketches for the concept.  Ian Allen
The Best Ski Clothes for Staying Warm and Having Fun
From weatherproof jackets and pants to puffers, gloves, and socks, WIRED’s winter sports experts have you covered.
Chris Haslam
The Best Apple Watch Accessories
You finally caved and bought an Apple Watch. These are our favorite bands, screen protectors, and chargers to go with your new smartwatch.
Adrienne So
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
The Best Fitness Trackers Check Your Sleep, Heart Rate, or Even Your Blood
With almost ten years of hands-on testing, WIRED knows what separates the best fitness trackers from the rest.
Adrienne So
The Best Merino Wool T-Shirts for Every Occasion
These merino wool tees are the last shirts you’ll ever wear. I’m wearing one right now.
Scott Gilbertson
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
These Are Our Favorite Standing Desks to Liven Up Your Workstation
Take your home office to new heights with our favorite motorized standing desks.
Nicole Kinning
The Best Heart Rate Monitors Check Your Cardiac Health
These chest straps and watches will help you keep your finger on your pulse—and many other heart-related metrics.
Michael Sawh
The Best iPhone 17 Cases and Accessories—We’ve Tested More Than 100
Protect your expensive iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone Pro, or iPhone 17e with our favorite cases and screen protectors.
Julian Chokkattu
Death to Dry Skin. These Humidifiers Are Better Than Chapstick
From models for traveling to humidifiers that double as planters or air purifiers, we've tested a dozen of them.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best MagSafe Grips for Getting a Handle on Things
Keep your phone firmly in hand and add some personality with these comfortable, durable, and nifty smartphone grips.
Louryn Strampe
The Best Hybrid Mattresses for the Best of Both Worlds
By combining foam and springs in carefully tuned layers, hybrids hit the sweet spot between soft and supportive. Here are our favorites after extensive testing.
Julia Forbes