14 DAY TRIAL // There is very good reason why Microsoft has not announced the availability date of Internet Explorer 8, the next version of its Internet Explorer proprietary browser. And it is connected with the fact that Microsoft has absolutely no clue when it will wrap up with the successor of Internet Explorer 7. The first Beta of IE8 was dropped on March 5, 2008, and is a release tailored to web content developers and designers. And while the Redmond company has continually refused to deliver clues as to the evolution of IE8's development process, the fact of the matter is that nothing is set yet.
"We have not committed to a release date for Windows Internet Explorer 8. We have released Windows Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Developers to begin the process of getting widespread testing and feedback from the web designer and developer community. We plan to have an additional beta release for end users and IT Professionals later in 2008, when we anticipate receiving feedback on different scenarios. Once we are confident of product quality among all audiences, we will announce a final release date," reads an excerpt of the IE8 Beta 1 FAQ.
But at the same time Microsoft did point out that there would be a subsequent beta for IE8, one aimed at end users, toward the summer of this year. And in April the company is planning the next wave of IE8 Beta 1 releases, this time focused on additional languages.
"In addition to US English, which we are making [as of March 5, 2008], the Windows Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Developers release will be available in German and Simplified Chinese in the coming weeks. We chose these languages to test support for long user interface string lengths and double-byte character sets," Microsoft added.
Intenet Explorer 8 Beta 1 is available for download here.