Skip to main content

Microsoft’s new Modern Keyboard has a hidden fingerprint reader

Microsoft’s new Modern Keyboard has a hidden fingerprint reader

Share this story

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Microsoft has quietly unveiled a new “Modern Keyboard” with an integrated fingerprint reader. The Modern Keyboard is the successor to the Surface Keyboard, and looks identical. The only changes are a new fingerprint reader and the ability to use a cable for a wired connection instead of wireless.

Microsoft has integrated the fingerprint reader into the second Windows key on the right-hand side of the keyboard, and it can be used to log into Windows 10 or websites using Windows Hello. The new Modern Keyboard will work with Windows 10, MacOS, and the latest versions of Android.

The Modern keyboard will be available shortly, priced at $129.99. It's a surprisingly quick release schedule after Microsoft only debuted the Surface Keyboard for $99 recently. $129.99 is a lot to pay for a keyboard, but it is one of the best desktop keyboards on the market at the moment if you like laptop-like key travel. If you already bought the original Surface Keyboard then I feel your pain.