Microsoft has resisted the temptation to sip from the Web 2.0 Kool Aid with confirmation that the next version of its browser will be called IE 8.

The choice of moniker comes after the angst-ridden rejection of alternative titles including iIE and IE for Web 2.0. Confirmation that Microsoft has resisted the siren call in favour of the tried and tested comes in a posting on Microsoft official IE blog by Dean Hachamovitch, general manager.

Details of features to be included within the next version of Microsoft's browser software much less a possible shipping date remain unclear. By comparison both Mozilla and Opera have been much more open about what customers, and more importantly web developers, can expect in their next major release.

Betanews reports that more details of IE8 are due to be announced at the MIX conference in March. ®

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