Internet Explorer 8 beta 2 now out

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.