14 DAY TRIAL // In addition to the plain vanilla flavor of Internet Explorer 8, Microsoft and company partners are also offering for download versions of the browser tailored to specific websites. In the past, Softpedia users have been able to read about a variety of custom IE8 releases offered either by the software giant or by various third-parties. The latest release I came across is a copy of Internet Explorer 8 optimized for Xbox 360, thanks to Rob Margel, working in Windows Web Services and Content team in the UK.
“Get Internet Explorer 8 optimized with extras from some of your favorite websites,” reads an invitation at the top of the webpage serving the custom Xbox 360 copy of IE8. This particular flavor of Internet Explorer 8 is designed to allow end users to “stay up to date with Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE games, content, downloads, news and features,” according to Microsoft.
The IE8 copy optimized for Xbox 360 is available for download via the Add-ons Gallery. The browser is still Internet Explorer 8 and will run on 32-bit and 64-bit Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. However, three additions constitute the optimization Microsoft is referring to. Internet Explorer 8 optimized for Xbox comes with Xbox LIVE Search, the Xbox Accelerator and the Latest Xbox News add-on. Nothing short of the best choice in custom browsers for diehard Xbox fans.
Additional customized copies of Internet Explorer 8 involve versions tailored to MSN, to Yahoo and to eBay. While some are offered by the Redmond-based company, others are made available by the companies mentioned above. IE8 optimizations for the MSN, Yahoo and eBay versions of IE8 involve similar customizations as IE8 for Xbox 360. And just in case you were wondering, yes, there is a copy of Internet Explorer 8 customized for Softpedia, which you can download and enjoy along with all the content we are providing.
Internet Explorer 8 Softpedia Edition is available for download here.
Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) RTW is available for download here (for 32-bit and 64-bit flavors of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008).