In an effort at transparency, Microsoft has announced that the development of their browser Internet Explorer 9 will advance to the Beta stage through a series of sequential builds that are scheduled for release at 8 week intervals. Maybe it’s an effort to communicate to consumers that it hasn’t abandoned the browser to Google or Mozilla. Maybe it’s an effort to tell its competitors “we’re here and we’re not going away.” Either way, IE9 will be different. For starters, just look at the downloaded preview platform. You will see that what you will get in IE 9 will be different than anything even out there now. IE9 – Preview Platform for Windows7
At MIX10, last week, Microsoft announced the Windows Internet Explorer Platform Preview v1.9.7.7.45.6019 would be available for download. Microsoft will continue release the Platform Preview stage until it graduates into the Beta stage. At this stage the next expected Platform Preview Build is expected in mid-May 2010.
Can IE9 be used now?
IE9 has many layers as seen from the Platform Preview. The preview platform is not intended to be deployed now because it is lacking fundamental functionality. It does not have an address bar, or information bar. The preview platform does not have tabbed browsing, or security features or the standard UI elements. It lacks the functionality such as back and forward buttons. It is a preview platform not a practice platform. But one can use it to see how from build to build what Microsoft is developing and the progress it is making. From a developers point of view, that should be interesting to see the progress. From a consumers point of view, they should see what will be coming and they can compare it to other browsers.
How will the Platform work with IE8?
Users can download and install the IE9 Platform Preview and run it alongside IE8. The two browser versions will be able to run in parallel and one can test the latest build. However, there are some caveats. For one, Vista users will have to upgrade to Service Pack 2 and users must also deploy the Platform Update for Windows Vista to be able to access to DirectX 11 technologies. The IE9 preview platform does not run on Windows XP SP3. In fact for that matter, it does not run on any Windows release prior to Vista SP2.
Why the Transparency?
Microsoft obviously sees itself behind the times on the browser wars. It is running to catch up. But there are enough technologies that exist that will allow Microsoft to integrate them into the browser that they hope will change the landscape. For one, Silverlight will be a part of the expected browser. You can even see that in the demos provided by the Preview Platform. Also the JavaScript will be a variant of the Chakra development platform.
