IE9 goes on beta, looks Chrome-y

We had a short briefing with Microsoft Philippines this afternoon discussing some of the new features of Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) which just reached beta release today.

Some of the features that were introduced were already available in other browsers (especially Chrome) while others were really focused on engine performance and developers.

The new IE9 feels faster, looks cleaner and more integrated (design-wise) to Windows 7. So far, I’m a somewhat impressed with the additional bells and whistles. It’s like Chrome + ActiveX = IE9. The address bar also serves as search box.

It’s got a smaller footprint too and event he installation file is just 18MB (though Firefox is only around 8MB and Flock is 13MB). I was pretty interested with the HTML5/CSS3 support and the web app approach which is something I’m planning to include in the upcoming re-design of this blog.

And just like what Chrome does, each tab of IE9 runs as a separate process so even if a windows freezes up or crashes, you can close it and the other windows will remain open and running just fine.

I think one has to try it out first to really see the improvements. IE9 requires you have Windows 7 or Vista before you can install it (they say it’s due to the GPU-acceleration support).

Disclosure: Microsoft is an advertiser on this blog. You’ll see some of their banner ads for IE9 on this page. Just click on them to download a copy of IE9 (or go to beautyoftheweb.com).

Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

https://www.yugatech.com

34 Comments

Joshua M says:

15 years ago

I tested it. I like the Pin to taskbar feature. But theres not much to do. no extensions. acid 3 gave me a 95. and at last I can develop HTML 5 and CSS3 with IE9. hope this upgrades all IE on the windows vista / 7 OSes.
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Jhay says:

15 years ago

Maybe I’ll just test it for an hour or two to satisfy my curiosity. Afterwards, I’m going back to Chrome. :D
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Wakocoke says:

15 years ago

Use of IE = to download FF or Chrome :)
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jessjr says:

15 years ago

Age old security issues plaguing IE9 been fixed? No more worms and virus via IE9? Otherwise this will be the same trash with new name, features and looks… but still a trash from Micro$oft
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Marvin Palaroan says:

15 years ago

I think I’ll reinstall windows 7 just to try this.
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manaka_junpei says:

15 years ago

gusto ko sanang i-try ang IE9, pero mas-stick pa rin ako sa Chrome

baka magka-problem ako after installation.
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Joshua M says:

15 years ago

@Marvin Palaroan why reinstall? you could download it . Its free
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Certified Public Accountant says:

15 years ago

IE9 has some pretty massive steps forward, but unfortunately that doesn’t help us much until people finally stop using the 10 year old IE6
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JKisaragi says:

15 years ago

@Joshua M

Hi, me again. I think Marvin was referring to him reinstalling the Windows 7 OS and not the IE9 browser.

On Topic:

I’ll try IE9 out later. But I’m also concerned with what jessjr mentioned. O_O

Oh well, still too early to tell I guess. XD
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hume says:

15 years ago

@Marvin Palaroan

are you kidding me? reinstall windows 7 just to try ie9? really, because that is funny
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