Users can now download the feature-complete version of the next
version of Microsoft's web browser. The browser offers usability
and security features to make web browsing faster and safer,
according to Microsoft. Internet Explorer 8.0 beta release 2 is now
available from the
Microsoft website.
Microsoft said it was encouraging users to try the beta release,
which extends the beta 1 version that was aimed at the web
developer community.
Speeding up web access is one of the top priorities of the
product. "We have spent time in our labs looking at how people
browse the web," said Ryan Servatius, senior product manager for
internet explorer business strategy at Microsoft. He said IE8 beta
2 uses web services called acceleratiors, to enable users to look
up additional information easily. "You can take an address and find
a map." The browser provides a menu option when the user presses
the right mouse button, which can be used to provide a map showing
directions to a shop or restaurant, or a language translation web
service.