Microsoft’s Russian website has apparently accidentally posted information regarding the upcoming beta of Internet Explorer 9 along with a screenshot of the new user interface. The screenshot has since been removed, but not before ZDNet’s, Mary-Jo Foley was able to grab it and post it.
Here is the screenshot she was able to post along with some details she was able to translate from Russian to English using Bings translator. Keep in mind, this information is regarding a beta of Internet Explorer 9 and was leaked well in advance to Microsoft’s IE9 gala in September, so anything could change between now and then:
According to a Bing search translation, Mary-Jo was able to uncover some details:
…there will be a new, simplified navigation bar with IE 9 that will leave “more room for the (Web) site itself.” There will be some navigation tools for commonly used functions — things like a back button and a combined address/search bar. But the numerous menu items in older versions of IE have “been consolidated into one,” the site said. “Now the user sees only what you need to navigate.”
…there will be provisions for “recognized,” or “protected,” sites which will allow users to go straight from the Windows taskbar to these sites without having to open IE first. In other words, recognized, protected sites will be treated more like traditional Windows applications.
Microsoft has declined to comment on the leaked screenshots. The screenshot and full story can be found here. What do you guys think of the possible new interface? I like it and when you couple that with promised, much-improved performance, I think this makes IE9 my next browser. How about you guys?
Source: ZDNet via Engadget
