Microsoft previewed Internet Explorer 9 this week. What are the most notable things about it? Here’s a quick breakdown:
HTML5 support. This isn’t really newsworthy as all other browsers already support HTML5. But Microsoft claims they are fully embracing HTML5, which is interesting because just as HTML5 is a threat to Flash, it’s also a threat to Microsoft’s Flash competitor, Silverlight.
GPU acceleration. Most newer video cards GPU’s or graphic processing units. These are processors which take the load off your computer’s main processor when it comes to heaving graphic processing (like video). IE9 will take advantage of GPU’s to provide a smoother viewing experience (like with video).
A new JavaScript engine. This means sites that rely heavily on JavaScript (like Google’s suite of products) will be quicker and more responsive.
No XP support. This means if you’re running Windows XP, well you’re out of luck. This will help with Microsoft’s attempt to convert XP users to Windows 7.
If you want to test drive IE9 yourself, you can do so by clicking here.