Yahoo has released a new browser toolbar today for Internet Explorer and Firefox, which adds a number of new features including the possibility to preview some sites like Yahoo Mail or Weather but also non-Yahoo services like eBay.

“Yahoo! Toolbar has always made navigating the web easier – acting as a shortcut to search and as a way to keep track of your favorite Yahoo! sites. While that still holds true, we have noticed that people want more functionality from their toolbar, so today we are excited to share a new Yahoo! Toolbar – one that makes it easier to stay on top of your online world no matter where you are on the web.“ reads Yahoo's blog announcement.

The latest version brings improved search capabilities as well as faster searches by incorporating some technologies from Inquisitor, a company Yahoo recently acquired. The search box now offers suggestions, remembers sites you've recently visited and you can also search other sites like Flickr, also owned by Yahoo, or Wikipedia.

“The new Yahoo! Toolbar now offers greater customization and more immediate access to the information you care about most from across the entire web – not just Yahoo! sites. Currently available if you’re using Internet Explorer 6+ and now for Firefox (as a beta), too, our new toolbar also helps you do some really handy things,” wrote Burke Culligan, senior director, Yahoo! Front Doors.

The toolbar is fully customizable and there are a number of sites and apps available, not just Yahoo ones. Once added, “real-time” previews are available, keeping you up to date without having to leave the page you are currently visiting. The Yahoo Toolbar is available for Internet Explorer and Firefox.