Wednesday’s Build 2014 keynote may have lasted a punishing three hours, but aside from a mid-point deep dive into code that only developers could love, the event was packed with product reveals aimed directly at consumers.

Windows PC users in particular should take note: Many annoying Windows 8 foibles will be addressed in a system update planned for April 8, and the long-term Windows roadmap looks even cooler.

And there was important Windows Phone news. And app news. And Microsoft is embracing the Internet of Things. Read on for the seven Build 2014 announcements we found most exciting.