Internet Explorer 8 – second test version released
Microsoft has released a new beta test version of IE8, stating that this version comes with new features to enhance privacy, ease-of-use, and security.
Beta 1 of IE 8 was released in March, but that was aimed at letting web developers take a first look at the new browser. This latest version is aimed at a broader consumer audience.
Although there is no official release date for IE8 as of yet, Microsoft has pledged to deliver more regular updates of Internet Explorer, whose lead has been chipped away by Mozilla’s Firefox browser. It released Internet Explorer 7 in October 2006.
The latest version of Internet Explorer boasts features found in Firefox 3, including a “smart” address bar that remembers and redirects user to website addresses they have visited before.
IE 8 will also offer a mode called “InPrivate Browsing,” which ensures that history, temporary internet files and cookies are not recorded on a user’s PC.
A new security feature that allows a user to block content coming from third-parties trying to track and aggregate the user’s online behavior will also be available.
Microsoft has also updated features such as “Activities” which allows a user to use information found on one page (e.g. an address) in conjunction with online services such as mapping, without leaving the original site.
The latest test release of Internet Explorer 8 can be found at www.microsoft.com/ie8
