First Look at IE9 Leaked on MS Russia Site

Microsoft has voluntarily leaked more details about its upcoming Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) web browser via a Russian Internet portal. The company revealed several new features related to the browser's overall look, which is heavily inspired by a rival.

To date, Microsoft has yet to reveal a user interface for Internet Explorer 9, even though several developer previews of the browser have emerged since the spring. This means the Russian leak gives us our first glimpse of IE9's navigational model.

IE9 Navigation Similar to Google Chrome

First impressions suggest Microsoft's next browser -- which will only be useable on post-Windows XP operating systems -- will look a lot like rival Google's browser, Chrome. Screenshots on the Russian site (which have since been pulled down) show that Microsoft's new browser closely mimics the interface used by Google. (Source: computerworld.com)

It would appear Microsoft has been doing its research and has noted Chrome's popularity is largely due to its simple navigation tools. Speaking on IE9, the Russian site read: "Your browser is not overloaded with navigation elements, and compared with other browsers leaves more space for the site... Now the user sees only what is necessary for navigation."

Firefox 4 Slims Down Navigation, Too

For those who've been following the evolution of browsers, this is not a huge surprise. After all, Mozilla has pursued similar trends in developing its next version of Firefox, Firefox 4. It's said the next Mozilla browser will do away with Windows menus above a browser's content area. It's a development inspired by Google's Chrome.

IE9 Websites Anchored in Windows Task Bar

A new feature for Internet Explorer 9 allows users to pin a site to the taskbar by dragging a tab to the Windows taskbar. The site can then be loaded by clicking its shortcut, without having to open IE9, first.

"Anchored sites are seamlessly integrated into [the] navigation system [of] Windows 7," the aforementioned site said. "Thus, the work of such sites [is] as simple and familiar as with other Windows applications."

An IE9 beta is due for September 15, 2010. (Source: cnet.com)