Microsoft improves Windows browsing experience with feature-packed IE11 release

Microsoft has announced that an updated version of Internet Explorer 11 will be available on Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and Windows Phone 8.1. The Windows 8.1 update will be available for download today, with automatic updates beginning April 8 for both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 customers. The update will allow to recognise if you switch devices from laptop to tablet to a smartphone. The update ensures that tabs and favorites or bookmarks will be available across devices for a user. According to Microsoft's blog post, "Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 share the same experience and underlying Web standards that help developers build interoperable sites and apps that just work across many browsers and devices." IE 11 for Windows Phone 8.1 will offer similar features as the Windows 8.1 version of IE 11. Users can now pin their favorite sites directly to the Start Screen for information from the Web at a glance. Besides, if you are signed in to your Microsoft account and have also enabled Cortana, you will get live alerts within your IE11 windows from the digital assistant. There's also a Reading Mode helps you optimise the view of articles and makes it similar to reading a digital book on your phone. There's also voice commands which will help users get quickly to their favorite websites by speaking to the device. IE11 for Windows Phone also includes InPrivate to keep your browsing private. There's also a new High Savings Mode which can be enabled to reduce data consumption by 60-80 percent through reducing image downloads and only loading elements of the page relevant to the content you want to view. And finally, IE 11 will adapt the browsing experience for users by detecting the Windows device and input type: tablet or a desktop.