Microsoft is gearing up for the launch of IE 9 as it attempts to remain competitive in the browser marketplace. For Microsoft, IE 9 represents its latest attempt to remain the browser king while it fights off contenders Firefox, Chrome and a host of others.
Early Friday, an RC build of IE 9 was leaked out, and Winreview.ru posted up a few screenshots of the leak. The version that hit the web is 9.00.8073.6018 (WIN7_IE9_Partner.110121-2300). It is believed by many that Microsoft is gearing up for the release of IE 9 and the RC builds are of near final quality. [Update: To clear up some confusion, .6018 may not be available for download, yet, but someone does have this build outside of Microsoft.]
Microsoft is also taking privacy to a new level, allowing the browser to block a website"s ability to use location based services too.
With a leak of an RC-quality build to the web, it only adds further evidence that Microsoft is about ready to release the final product. While no final date has been set, it should appease IE fans that it is expected sooner rather than later.