Microsoft adds Office and emoji keys to new keyboards

If you're about to buy a new keyboard, be aware that Microsoft's latest keyboards come with a couple of extra keys you may, or may not appreciate.

As The Verge reports, Microsoft lists two new keyboards for pre-order on its online store, both of which include a dedicated key for Microsoft Office, and another for emojis. The two keyboards in question are the Microsoft Bluetooth Keyboard and the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

In both cases, the Office key sits to the right of the spacebar and by default loads the Office for Windows 10 app when pressed. However, it can also be used to launch specific Office apps, such as Word or Powerpoint, with the correct key combination. For example, the Office key + X will open Excel. Replace X with W to open Word, and so on.

The Microsoft Ergonomic keyboard Credit: Microsoft

The Emoji key sits to the right of the Office key and when pressed loads the Windows 10 emoji picker. It can't be configured to be more specific, but it does seem like an obscure function to turn into a dedicated key. Do we really use emoji that much in 2019?