Critics Slam Microsoft Internet Explorer 8

REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft has finally unveiled the final release of Internet Explorer, but will it be too slow to matter?

Internet Exporer holds appeal for the adult industry because of its private browsing feature, called InPrivate. But with speedier, more relevant (and adult-friendly) competition out there, Internet Explorer may lose more of its market share among industry professionals as well as the general public.

Tech pundits have criticized IE for its slowness, cluttered interface and lack of compatibility with a large number of websites. Analyst Erick Schonfeld said that with this new release, Microsoft is once again relying on its formidable user base.

"If you’ve already left IE for a speedier browser, IE8 is not going to bring you back, and Microsoft knows it," he wrote for TechCrunch.com.

Schonfeld praised Apple's Safari browser, which rolled out a vastly improved fourth version last month. Safari also includes a porn mode, known as Private Browsing.

On another front, tech analyst Rob Pegoraro slammed IE's lack of compatibility with many websites. A long-running complaint among web designers is how hard it is to make a site work in IE, and version 8 doesn't look like it's going to alleviate that stress.

"Microsoft changed its 'compatibility view,' provided for pages written for earlier versions of IE that paid less heed to Web standards, in a way that causes IE 8 to label most Web pages with compatibility view's broken-page icon," he wrote for the Washington Post. "Microsoft says this issue doesn't affect how most pages look or work, and that Web developers can easily work around it. But a Web browser's most basic job is to display the Web accurately, and in this respect IE 8 fails."

On the plus side, IE8 will offer a list of recently closed tabs and new gizmos that Microsoft is calling "Accelerators." This new feature will let IE users activate an array of quick shortcuts found under the right-click menu.

The Accelerator idea is similar to a previous invention by Mozilla, purveyors of the Firefox browser. Last year, Mozilla rolled out a new plugin called Ubiquity, which let Firefox users access an ever-growing choice of handy shortcuts through a small, simple text field.

To download the new version of IE, visit Microsoft.com.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

11:11 Creations Launches Affiliate Program

11:11 Creations principal Alicia Silver has launched 11:11 Cash for creators and affiliates.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'Self Love' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers to develop self-love.

Show More