Microsoft Launches Internet Explorer 9

(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - Microsoft released the latest version of the Windows Internet Explorer on Tuesday promising more speed and power.

The arrival of Internet Explorer 9 comes about two years after the release of Internet Explorer 8. Microsoft released the new browser publicly after more than 40 million downloads of the beta version, according to a company press release .

The new browser is said to benefit from the power of the computer's graphics processing unit by using hardware-accelerated programming language HTML5, allowing developers to build faster, more immersive websites that better utilize Windows 7.

"Internet Explorer 9 has moved the bar in hardware acceleration, enabling Flash Player to tap into the GPU and creating a win-win situation for our mutual customers who want fast, rich content experiences," Paul Betlem, senior director of Flash Player Engineering at Adobe, stated in the press release.

Microsoft said the new version also has "a robust sea of built-in security, privacy and reliability technologies that keep customers safer online." Tracking protection lets users control the data they are sharing by selecting which websites they do not want to exchange information with.

Two other new features include Pinned Sites and JumpList. Pinned Sites allows users to access favorite websites directly from the Windows 7 taskbar without having to open their browser.

JumpList lets the user use a common website task such as changing a music station or accepting a friend invitation without opening the browser first.

"This new feature allows our listeners to have immediate access to their personalized Pandora stations right from the taskbar with Internet Explorer 9, which will make for an easy-access listener experience," Tom Conrad, chief technical officer for Pandora, stated in the press release.

Features of the new browser can be seen at the official website beautyoftheweb.com .

Reviews have been positive. PCMag.com praised the new version for its greatly improved speed and said the minimalist interface frees up more room for webpages. It also gave high marks to the improved security and pinned tabs.

TechRadar.com praised the hardware acceleration from the GPU for improving the speed at which graphics are drawn, calling it a major leap forward considering the increasing popularity of browser games like Farmville.

"IE9 feels like a polished browser, worthy of competing alongside the likes of Chrome and Firefox for the first time in recent memory," TechRadar said.

As far as cons, PCMag.com stated that Internet Explorer 9 only works in Windows 7 and Vista operating systems.

Microsoft has also launched a campaign to get people to move away from Internet Explorer 6, released 10 years ago. The campaign, launched at ie6countdown.com , states if usage of the browser drops to less than 1 percent worldwide more websites can drop support for it. That means less hours of work for web developers.

As of February 12 percent of the world continued to use Internet Explorer 6, the main area being China with 34.5 percent. The usage in the United States is about 2.9 percent.