Lorgor

The Future of Internet Explorer session at MIX 07 didn’t give us the shape of future version of Internet Explorer. As Chris Wilson, platform architect of Internet Explorer, said he is not allowed to speak but still some hints.

Let’s try to sort out some things and re-organize.

• Security is #1 priority. From my view, I didn’t see the chance that Microsoft will add new security feature but more likely to improve its anti-Phishing feature, protected mode and ActiveX control. Microsoft now open new space for ActiveX-related security issue with its new Silverlight.
• More standards-complaint. Here is real issue that IE got blamed. The web standard expert always said IE is far from standard while Microsoft thinking about million sites out there that never following the standard. It’s Microsoft start to break million sites this time.
• IE 8.0 more compliant with CSS 2.1 layout standards. The second web browser, first is Opera as always, that will support CSS 2.1 *Draft*.
• IE 8.0 object model more interoperable with other browsers.
• APIs to support local storage for mash-ups.

There is no announced schedule release of IE 8.0 but expecting that it would be release some time in 2008. From Wilson, each new version will slipped from 12-18 months to 2 years circle. I guess, IE 8.0 will have native support of Microsoft SilverLight in some manner.