Microsoft plans to make the first beta for Internet Explorer 8.0 available concomitantly with Windows Vista Service Pack 1. Currently almost all details related to IE8, the next version of Microsoft's browser, have been muted. Just as with Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Seven, the company does not talk IE8. Microsoft provided but a few crumbs of IE8 during the "IE7 Past, Present, and Future" MIX07 session.

Still, the availability date, or even a general timetable for the next version of IE8 was not provided. The only detail from the Redmond Company in this aspect is the fact that it plans to make the IE8 available after no more than two years from IE7. Considering the fact that Internet Explorer 7 was launched for Windows XP on 18 October 2006, a possible release date could be the end of 2008. But if the two years are related to the general availability of Windows Vista, on January 30, 2007, it could push IE8 all the way into 2009.

Now, according to activewin, the first beta for IE8 will drop by the end of this year. Microsoft has not confirmed or denied the connection between the first testing milestone for IE8 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1 as far as availability is concerned. Currently Microsoft is both dogfooding and working on the development of IE8, but details from the company are scarce.

Chris Wilson, Platform Architect for Internet Explorer, speaking at MIX07 in Las Vegas, revealed that IE8 will be focused on security and compliance. Microsoft is also expected to continue to support Windows XP with Internet Explorer 8. If IE8 will make it to the market toward in 2008 it means that it could also be connected with the third service pack for Windows XP. But of course these are all speculations at this time.