After it launched Internet Explorer 7, in October 2006, for Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003, and then again in November of the same year and in January as a default component for Windows Vista, Microsoft turned its focus on Internet Explorer 8. Still, 2007 went through for the most part with absolutely no word on the next version of Internet Explorer. At MIX07, the Redmond company did discuss a few details about Internet Explorer 8, but only in general terms, at that time it was still referred to as IE next.

But MIX08 in Las Vegas, between March 5 - 7, 2008, will offer quite a treat in terms of IE8. After all, MIX is Microsoft's conference centered on web technologies, and as Microsoft itself describes it on the MIX08 official website: "an initimate opportunity for cutting-edge technical, creative, and business strategies to engage Microsoft in a conversation about the future of the web. (...) Developers, designers and business professionals [will have the chance to] to explore: kigh-fidelity commerce, content, media, services and security; how new technologies can help find, retain and up-sell customers; the latest on Silverlight, Internet Explorer, ASP.NET, Expression, Windows Live and other key technologies. Keynotes, presentations, discussions, labs."

In this context, MIX08 is bound to offer much more than Internet Explorer 8. Especially that Ray Ozzie will take the stage. Ray Ozzie has of course taken the title Chief Software Architect, as well as the associated responsibilities from Bill Gates back in 2006, when Microsoft announced Gates' two-year transition out of his day-to-day role in the company. But most importantly, Ozzie is the architect of Microsoft's Software plus Service strategy, taking the company into the Cloud.

"Microsoft Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie joins Scott Guthrie (Scott Guthrie is a general manager in the Microsoft Developer Division) on stage as a keynote speaker at MIX08 on Wednesday, March 5, 2008. Ray will discuss Microsoft's continued investment across the platform to deliver world class Web technologies and tools. There's lots of excitement with Silverlight, IE and much much more to share. But you have to come to MIX08 to get the latest� registration is filling up quickly so reserve your seat today," revealed a message posted on VisitMix.