Microsoft's surprise hit: an 84-inch pen display for the office

As Microsoft's big news day winds down, people will mostly be talking about two things: the next version of Windows, and that insane headset that lets you see holograms in your living room. If you ask me, though, one of the most impressive things the company announced was actually a giant pen display meant for the workplace. The Surface Hub, as it's called, is an 84-inch, 4K screen that's destined to live in conference rooms, making it easier for employees to brainstorm together, even over conference calls. Using a pressure-sensitive pen that attaches magnetically to the side of the machine, you can draw on the display, moving things with the stylus, and even erasing things using the opposite end.

Google Maps for Android now lets you easily share directions

While you've been able to share specific places you've located in the Google Maps app for some time, pinging directions over to your friends and family hasn't been so simple. With today's Android update, however, the company has finally done something about it. Now, when you load a navigation route inside the app, you'll notice a new "Share directions" option appear in the menu. The feature automatically creates a numbered list of text directions and attaches a link, which can then be shared via any compatible app on your Android device. WhatsApp and Facebook are probably the most logical destinations, letting the recipient load the link and see the same route on their device. Although Android users are currently only able to send routes using this new option, iPhone owners can receive and load shared directions inside the Maps iOS app (if they have it installed) -- useful if you're the one having to constantly help someone operate their new smartphone.

Facebook Lite uses less data for developing areas, low-end phones

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been hard at work connecting the world with not only his social network, but with basic internet access, too. In another step towards doing so in developing areas, the folks in Menlo Park are rolling out Facebook Lite: a version of its Android app that's meant to use less data and work well regardless of network speeds. In fact, it's specifically designed for browsing on 2G networks and in locales where connectivity is extremely limited. At less than 1MB, the software makes for a quick install to wrangle messaging, status updates, and other core features that Facebook users employ.  According to TechCrun , Facebook Lite is in the testing phase, and it's only available in Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Zimbabwe for the time being. However, the app requires Android 2.2, making it an option for most users -- even those wielding low-end devices.
[Photo credit: Arun Sharma/Hindustan Times via Getty Images]

Japan's leading designers combine to create the latest Infobar smartphone

Japanese carrier au by KDDI has been creating tech-as-art for well over a decade with its Infobar line of phones. After starting with a stylish-but-dumb cameraphone in 2003, the brand began offering fully-fledged smartphones with the A01 back in 2011. It's now back with the third iteration of the A series, the A03, and it's as pretty as ever.
Industrial design for the latest Infobar comes from minimalist product designer Naoto Fukasawa, who has worked on the range since its inception, and also created Muji's wall-mounted CD player, part of the MoMA's permanent collection. After the uncharacteristically bland A02, the A03 returns to Infobar's more colorful roots. Encased in anodized aluminum, the A03 has a 4.5-inch 1080p display, 13-megapixel camera, 16GB of storage (expandable with microSD) and capacitive keys for navigation. It's available in a number of hues, but our favorite is undoubtably "nishikigoi," the koi-inspired coloring that Infobar is famous for.
Software has always been a big draw for Infobar. The A03 comes with an Android skin from the award-winning artist and experimental web designer Yugo Nakamura. It's an refresh of Nakamura's "iida" UI that debuted on the A01 and mashes a traditional Android home screen with Windows Phone, putting widgets, social media, and apps all together in a single vertical-scrolling page.
The name-checking doesn't end with Fukasawa and Nakamura, however. Renowned stationary and graphic designer Maria Dahlgren (co-founder of Ordning & Reda) was tapped for hyper-colorful cases; fashion and fabric designer Akira Minagawa (who created couture brand Minä Perhonen) has limited-edition patterned cases; and high-end furniture maker Maruni (which counts Fukasawa as one of its designers) has crafted a wooden dock for the phone. Both the Minä Perhonen and Maruni collaborations will only be available as part of a special package from Japanese department store Isetan. There are even more names involved, but you get the point -- it's a big designer love-in.
From top left: Maruni wooden dock, Minä Perhonen case and Maria Dahlgren cases. The A03 comes out next month, but If you're thinking of importing it, be warned: although KDDI says it works across many bands, Japanese carriers are notorious for locking down their handsets. This being Android, you'll probably be able to work around that with some persistence. The A02 was unlockable, but at its heart it was an HTC J Butterfly -- the A03 is built by Kyocera instead. Put simply, this is not a phone you can just buy and pop in your own SIM card, though we're still going to give it a shot.

Microsoft's Android lock screen now shows your music and online chats

 

Microsoft's intelligent take on an Android front end, Next Lock Screen, just got much more useful if you're a music maven or love to chat online. An updated version not only brings music controls to the lock screen (as you'll sometimes see elsewhere), but surfaces your Hangouts, Line and Skype messages -- you'll know at a glance whether or not that friend got back to you. The new software shows MMS chats, too. While it may still feel a bit odd to use an Android interface add-on from the folks in Redmond, the revamp is big enough that you'll want to give it a shot if your phone's existing lock layout just isn't cutting it.