Microsoft's new IE9 promises zippier performance

SEATTLE: Microsoft says a ``beta'' test version of Internet Explorer 9, its newest Web browser software, is now available for download.

Microsoft Corp.'s updated browser taps into powerful processors on newer computers to make websites run faster. The software maker has also redesigned the way the browser looks. The IE9 frame around websites is now translucent, and there are few buttons. That means more of the screen space can be devoted to the website's contents.

The new browser lets people treat websites like programs on Windows 7 computers. They can ``pin'' sites to the task bar at the bottom of the screen, creating a one-click shortcut.

IE9 can only work on PCs with Windows 7 or Vista. It doesn't work on older Windows XP computers or on Macs.