Microsoft Unveils Internet Explorer 8

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Computer

Thursday, 19 March 2009 08:37

By Jessica Hodgson CNN

Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) Thursday launched the latest version of its Internet Explorer browser, heavy on privacy features, as it seeks to reverse market share gains from competitors.
Internet Explorer 8 can be freely downloaded in 25 languages from Microsoft's Web site from noon eastern time Thursday, the company said in a statement.
The final release version of the browser - the primary gateway to the Internet for consumers - has been available on a test basis since last summer. Microsoft has introduced changes which allow users greater control over whether to save or erase their browsing history, via "cookies", small packets of text which can be used to track browsing history.

The browser also features "accelerators," which allow users to highlight text on a Web site and choose from a variety of functions, including search engines, language translation or map displays.

Internet Explorer, for many years the default browser for consumers, faces challenges from a range of competitors. Although the Redmond, Wash.-based software giant's browser still leads in market share, with around 67% of the browser market, according to Net Applications, this has fallen from 91% four years ago. Rival browsers such as Firefox, from the not-for-profit Mozilla Foundation, and Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) Safari, are gaining share.

Meanwhile, European regulators said in January that Microsoft is in breach of antitrust rules by bundling Internet Explorer with its Windows operating system. Separately, rumors have surface on some Internet blogs suggesting Internet Explorer might be the last version of the browser in its current form. Microsoft hasn't commented specifically on its plans beyond Internet Explorer 8, but says it's committed to the browser.

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