Microsoft unveils keyboard with fingerprint ID for Windows Hello sign-in

Microsoft has unveiled its new Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID for Windows Hello sign-in, together with a Modern Mouse.

The Modern Keyboard looked much like the Surface Keyboard but featured a fingerprint sensor. Microsoft calls it a "hidden fingerprint sensor", but even though it was not obtrusive the dedicated key with a fingerprint symbol made it obvious what it was meant for.

The key is to the right of the Alt button on the bottom row and is positioned where one of the Surface Keyboard's two Windows keys sit.

The $130 keyboard is made of aluminium to make for a light and robust construction and features a wired and wireless Bluetooth connection, with the wired connector port positioned centrally on the rear of the keyboard.

The Windows accessory uses two rechargeable AAA batteries, which Microsoft said give the keyboard a battery life of up to two months on full charge, and weighed 14.79oz (419.3gm).

The Modern Keyboard was not only compatible with Windows 10, but also with Windows 8.1, and 8, together with Microsoft Windows 10 phone. Compatible non-Microsoft OSes were Android 4.4.2 to 5.0, Mac OS 10.10.5/10.11.1, and 10.11.4, and IOS 8.1 to 9.2.1.

Microsoft also announced the Modern Mouse, designed on the lines of the Surface Mouse and cost $50 and was wireless only.

A Microsoft spokesman writing on the product's homepage said:  ''Our vision was to blend the Fingerprint reader into a keyboard, so it would appear to be any other key.

''We iterated relentlessly to improve each layer, making sure they came together to create a flawless typing experience that felt like any other key.

''Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID's aluminium frame makes it not only of the highest quality, but heavy and virtually indestructible.

''It's low profile, sleek design makes it an understated but elegant workhorse.'