IE9 Beta Is Just Around the Corner


http://www.maximumpc.com/files/u46168/InternetExplorer9.jpg

In a move to ready us for the beta release of IE9, Microsoft has released the final platform preview for users to test. Labeled “IE 9 PP4”, the recently released platform preview extends improvements in performance via hardware accelerated “text, audio, and graphics, and the integration of the new ‘Chakra’ JavaScript engine.”
In his blog post, Microsoft GM Dean Hachamovitch noted:

“The fourth Platform Preview of Internet Explorer 9 shows the opportunity of fully hardware-accelerated HTML5,”…”You can run new test drive samples that show modern SVG and native JavaScript integration in action. In March, we promised to deliver platform preview releases approximately every eight weeks. With this installment, you will find more performance and more support for same markup. You’ll also find many fixed to issues reported in previous Platform Previews.”
There are also noted improvements in standard test such as SunSpider JavaScript and ACID3.
Microsoft has also said that they still plan to release the IE9 beta in September and they plan to continue with the original eight-week release schedule.
If rumors are true, it looks like IE9 will also come with a completely revamped user interface and when you add to that improved performance and more standards compliance, Microsoft may finally have the browser that people will use exclusively.
I’ve downloaded the IE9 test drive myself and have found the improvements to be noticeable. You can really tell that Microsoft is putting all of there chips behind this version of Internet Explorer and they are hedging their bets that hardware acceleration is the way to go. The performance enhancements would have been enough to satisfy me as an IE user, but the potential UI update has me hoping for an early September beta release. If you would like to test drive the latest IE9 platform preview, click here.
Tags: , , ,

About author

Curabitur at est vel odio aliquam fermentum in vel tortor. Aliquam eget laoreet metus. Quisque auctor dolor fermentum nisi imperdiet vel placerat purus convallis.

0 comments

Leave a Reply