Microsoft launches latest browser
Microsoft has launched the latest version of its web browser, Internet Explorer 8 (IE8)
Microsoft says that IE8 is more secure, allows users to cut down on common tasks and will be an integral part of its forthcoming Windows 7 system.
Although IE is still the most popular browser, it faces stiff compe ion from Google, Firefox, Opera and others.
The release is Microsoft's first major browser update since 2006, when the company released Internet Explorer 7.
"Customers have made clear what they want in a Web browser - safety, speed and greater ease of use," said Microsoft boss, Steve Ballmer.
"With Internet Explorer 8, we are delivering a browser that gets people to the information they need, fast, and provides protection that no other browser can match."
Speaking to the BBC, Chris Green - the former editor of IT Pro - said that despite the "marketing puff" the new version of Internet Explorer was a significant improvement on previous editions.
"I've been using Internet Explorer 8 for more than six months and is vastly better than IE7, which was big on features but poor on performance.
"The safety features in IE8 are very good. It can spot dubious websites and alert you if you're about to fall foul of, let's say, a phishing website, because it has a constantly updating list of dodgy sites."
Simple searching
Microsoft has also introduced a feature that it is calling "accelerators" which, say the company, make it easier to perform web-related tasks directly from the page by simply right-clicking a word or phrase.
Computer Active's deputy editor, Tom Royal, told the BBC that it was refreshing to see Microsoft pioneer features in a web browser rather than playing catch-up.
"The accelerated menu is something no other browser has.
"The contextual popup menus are a real step forward - for example, highlighting and right-clicking on a postcode automatically brings up Google maps.
"This has real potential and will make surfing the web much easier. I'm sure others will follow up with something similar," he added.
Microsoft has also taken a leaf out of Mozilla's book when it comes to searching.
While Firefox allows users to switch between sites like Amazon and Wikipedia, IE takes this a step further, displaying a preview of suggested searches and results appearing in a drop-down list.
The new browser can also follow news headlines and track eBay auctions, weather forecasts and blog posts with a feature the company is calling Web Slice, which is, essentially, a news ticker on the favourites bar.
Microsoft's share in the web-browser market has been steadily declining and it remains to be seen whether IE8 can reverse that trend.
"A browser is still a very personal choice," said Mr Royal.
"Some people like theirs simple and fast, while others want stuff with loads of features. IE has always been all things to all people but the perception is that it's the browser that's just there rather than the one you would choose to use.
"For now, I would avoid using the new version not because it isn't any good, it's that there are usually lots of undiscovered bugs and security flaws on any piece of new software," he added.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/h...gy/7952505.stm
Published: 2009/03/19 12:33:55 GMT
© BBC MMIX
I've been using FF since it came out quite a few years ago. I'm no lover of IE or microsoft at all.
The so-called "porn mode" of IE 8 (anonymous surfing).... I'm not sure if there is such a thing as true anonymous surfing...
Personally, I'm getting interested in Opera... never used it, but it seems popular. May d/l it this weekend and try it out.
Firefox is still the king of browsers. It's faster and safer than IE, and isn't tied into your root system processes. Firefox also has superior add-ons to any other browser.
I won't be switching anytime soon.
i'm a firefox user especially after that tweak i stumbled upon. the only thing i like about opera are the widgets you can have.
firefox ftw
im not a big ff user at all... thing crashes more then it's useful to me. i'm an advocate for safari and camino though camino is only for mac. camino is in' fast!
Firefox crashes for you? Probably because you're on a mac.
haha. it did it to on my pc... i now use safari on the pc and both safari and camino on my mac. firefox sometimes on the mac.Firefox crashes for you? Probably because you're on a mac.
the only thing that freezes up ff is divx streams... and then sometimes ff just vanishes for no reason. i don't know. it!
Firefox... maybe if IE8 gets ported to Linux I'll try it.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
