Redmond, Washington  - Microsoft has released a new version of its Internet Explorer browser. Compared to its predecessor, the new software offers technical improvements and new functions, the company said. The browser is also available in 25 languages.

The novel features include the ability to send highlighted text directly to a lexicon or mapping service using a context menu; and webslices, a service to keep users informed about changes to subscribed sites like weather and auction portals.

Microsoft has also introduced a private mode which can be activated prior to a web surfing session and which leaves no traces of a user's activity on the computer. When using the integrated search engine, Internet Explorer 8 is also reported to provide relevant suggestions while the terms are still being entered. The search results are also presented topically, with images. The browser utilises multiple search engines to draw its results.

The software, which can be downloaded free of charge at http://www.microsoft.com/ie8, is currently listed as Release Candidate 1. That means that while it offers all the functions of the final version, it is still undergoing final testing and could contain flaws. Windows XP or Vista is required to use Internet Explorer 8. (dpa)