IE 8 - Internet Explorer 8.0 Beta 2 test drive

Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 was released recently and is currently available in several languages for test drive. I rarely install beta products because sometimes they might cause instability on the system. Since it's already in Beta 2, many bugs are supposed to be fixed and hopefully it doesn't cause any major troubles when running it in Windows. Though I'm not really a Beta product, the main reason I'm testing out Internet Explorer is to see what changes had been made Internet Explorer to make it better as compared to Firefox and to the new emergence of Google Chrome.

So what's new in IE 8?

1. InPrivate Browsing - With InPrivate Browsing, Browsing History is automatically disabled and websites you visit will not appear in the history.

2. Smart Screen Filter - This feature will protect IE 8 users against malicious websites by giving them warning regarding the possible threats.

3. Navigation - There is an option to restore a closed tab as well as restore the last browsing complete session.

4. Search Suggestion - It's a helpful search feature for users. Search smarter with detailed suggestions from your favorite search providers and browsing history. See visual previews and get suggested content topics while you type in the enhanced Instant Search Box.

5. Compatibility View - The built-in Compatibility View button enables you to display websites that were designed for older browsers. Simply press the Compatibility View button if you see display problems on a website like misaligned text, images, or text boxes. It's located next to the Refresh button on the Address Bar.

6. Accelerators - Accelerators let you complete your everyday browsing activities more quickly and even discover new services. Start mapping, translating, emailing, and more in just a few mouse clicks.

7. Web Slices - This is an exciting new technology in IE8. It keeps up with changes to the sites you care about most. Add a Web Slice and you won't have to go back to the same website again and again for updates on news, stock quotes, online auctions, weather, or even sports scores.

Well, I've been running with IE8 for almost 2 days now and we will see how the various Web sites take advantage of the new features like the WebSlices. Web browsing is going to be revolutionized, no doubt about that and Internet Explorer 8 is on the right position to be a big player of that change. Hey, what are waiting for? Go grab the copy and test drive the new Internet Explorer 8!

Download Internet Explorer 8.0 Beta 2