Internet Explorer 8: features & benchmarks

Joachim Kaufmann & Kai Schmerer ZDNet Germany

Published: 19 Mar 2009

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Go to section: Introduction User interface Search and Accelerators Under the surface Compatibility Security and privacy Performance Conclusion

Search
Microsoft has revamped the search box in the upper right-hand corner of the browser. You can now choose between different search providers, such as Windows Live, Google and Amazon, by clicking on the search provider's icon rathe than using the drop-down menu. As in Firefox, you are offered suggestions as you type in the search box..

Searches not only provide links, but also suitable images — provided the search provider supports this function. This works with Amazon and eBay, for example. Microsoft calls this feature Visual Search. Also, as you start typing a search term, suggestions are offered by the search engine you've chosen. This feature is also available in Chrome, Firefox and Opera.

As well as Web Slices IE8 introduces so-called Accelerators, which make it easier to interact with web-based services. Highlight a piece of text on a web site, and a blue button brings up a menu of services that can process the text on the spot. An address, for example, can be displayed on a map, or a phrase translated into another language.

On its default settings, IE8 operates in the Windows Live universe: blogging with Windows Live Spaces, consulting Encarta and sending email via Windows Live Hotmail, for example. But Microsoft also provides links to other service providers, such as Facebook, eBay and Yahoo.

 

Go to section: Introduction User interface Search and Accelerators Under the surface Compatibility Security and privacy Performance Conclusion

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