Microsoft to launch beta of Internet Explorer 8

Microsoft will shortly make available the test version of Internet Explorer 8, which is set for final release in the first half of this year.

The Web site ActiveWin on Monday published the contents of a beta invitation, which said Microsoft is nearing a launch date for Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1, which will be available for download and testing.

According to the Internet Explorer blog, the next version of Microsoft's Web browser is set for release in the first half of the year.

Microsoft executives are expected to reveal further details about the browser's features at the software maker's upcoming Mix conference in Las Vegas next week.

Last year at Mix, Microsoft outlined some of the features planned for IE 8, including standards compliance and tools to ease Web development.

[rcrusoe]

Does it have a new UI

IE 7 has the ugliest UI I've ever seen. It's toolbars eat up a ton of <br />screen real estate.<br /><br />Let's hope MS copies a few ideas from Mozilla. Or Safari. Or <br />Opera. Or someone.

[ericmatz]

Too much real-estate?

Sure, out of the box IE is a bit of a real-estate hog, but you can configure the toolbars to free up quite a bit. In fact, the way I've configured mine since IE4 takes up exactly as much real estate as FireFox. If there's a way to do it better in FF, I'd love to know.<br /><br />For once I'd like to see Microsoft do something innovative (I know...that sounds like an oxymoron) rather than simply copy other leaders. Of course, they'll get bashed for whatever they do, so why bother I guess.

[o2mcgovem-20822100750713932708]

Maybe

See here:<br /><a class="jive-link-external" href="http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/paul/archive/2007/10/23/internet-explorer-8-preview.aspx" target="_newWindow">http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/paul/archive/2007/10/23/internet-explorer-8-preview.aspx</a>

[nonicks]

have u ever seen IE7???

IE7 has the sleekest UI off all the web browsers around. It gives you the maximum screen space. <br /><br />Infact, Even IE6 could be configured to provide maximum screen space by unlocking the tool bars and move them all in 1 row.<br /><br />unlike Firefox which provides almost ZERO flexibility and Opera which has so much going on in the browser.. it's hard to see your own web-page :D <br /><br />Please have a test drive on IE7 and get your facts right.<br /><br />*winks*

[Gunady]

Comparing..

OK, both IE and Firefox loaded with almost same feature, menu bar, 1 toolbar (e.g. Google Toolbar), and enable tab browsing. Comparing directly, IE wins for the space, because menu in IE can be grouped in one line with menu bar. However, if you only open one tab, Firefox wins, because firefox doesn't display the tab anymore. However, I don't agree that IE7 has the ugliest UI, it looks fresh compare to previous IE.

[magicmaster]

Just stay out of Firefox's way

Apathy. Poke around as you wish, but don't ever interfere with firefox functionality or covert file association hijack.

[zebra148]

IE is a joke

Your right Firefox has it together, in one basket.<br />Heck Microsoft has not even fixed IE 7 the world's biggest joke, and now they want to play with IE 8.....please<br />Between Firefox and IE 6, being stable... fix some of windows other problems before making another browser.

[fred dunn]

I look forward to it's public BETA....

Since I am not in the IE beta group. Despite what others say I think it is a very good browser with no more vulnerabilities than any other.<br />Before you go slamming me on this point go to Secunia.com and look up all of the patches for the browsers.<br />However I will concede that the other browsers usually resond faster with their updates. On the other hand some of their updates are complete reinstalls of the browser and that does not occur with IE.