Internet Explorer Back in the Game
After seeing its user base eroding to rivals like Firefox and Opera, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser might be poised for a rebound, thanks to the new features in its recently released seventh version.
Online reviewers have started to release their impressions of the new browser update, with generally positive comments about the changes.
Notable tweaks include a redesign that swaps menus for task-oriented buttons, a built-in search field, and tabbed browsing. The features are in line with options already available in competing browsers, such as Firefox, reviewers have noted.
Security Office
Although IE7 had some security problems immediately after its release, reviewers have been complimentary about improvements over the previous IE version.
Specifically, the new browser offers built-in security features, such as warnings when Web visitors go to known phishing sites.
Much like the search field and tabbed-browsing capability, this particular security feature is also available in the latest version of Firefox. Opera plans to include a similar technology when it releases Opera 9.1, expected to arrive in late December.
IE7 does have some unique features as well, including the ability to view thumbnail-size versions of open pages.
Strong Showing
Although Internet Explorer has lost some users to rival browsers, it is still the dominant player in the field, and used by the majority of Internet surfers, noted Gartner analyst Michael Silver, who issued an early report on the browser with fellow analysts Ray Valdes and Neil MacDonald.
Part of the reason is that Internet Explorer is built into Windows, making it a default browser for many users, who simply do not have the interest or tech savvy to download an alternative version.
For more advanced users, IE7 could keep them from straying toward Firefox or other browsers, although even with new features, the updated browser is not expected to win back many users that have gone to alternative…
