Microsoft is launching Internet Explorer 9 in the middle of the night tonight: it should be available from 4am GMT. Read on for more info and screenshots of what’s new in IE9.
1. It’s fast
If you haven’t seen the fish demo that Microsoft has been using to show off the speed of IE9, then head over here to fiddle around with some digital tropical fish, and you’ll get an idea of the speed improvements to IE9.
2. It’s HTML 5 compatible
Microsoft is getting behind HTML5 in a big way, so much so that there’s a collection of over 1,000 partner websites that show off the capabilities of HTML5, from the likes of National Rail, CNN, ESPN, FilmFour and heaps more. To take a look at the test sites, and push your new browser to the max, head here.
3. It uses your PC’s hardware
IE9 is built to use the capabilities of your PC, meaning that it will lean on your PC’s GPU to prop up and speed up rendering of pages and make video nippier too.
4. It’s safer and more secure
An NSS labs report has found that when it comes to malware, IE9 blocks 95%. Add in Microsoft’s download manager (which automatically virus checks downloads) and that’s upped to 99%.
5. Page previews with audio playback
When you pin a website to your taskbar you’ll be able to hover over the pinned site, which will bring up a large thumbnail of the page, which in some cases will contain audio and playback controls. There aren’t any large streaming or music providers in the UK signed up to the service, but Microsoft says it is “working with a number of them right now”. At the moment you’ll be able to use the feature on the Gorillaz website, but all it takes is a little bit of extra code from the devs to implement this feature.
Will you be upgrading? Shout out in the comments!
