Independent.ie in partnership with Microsoft Ireland announces the availability of Independent.ie’s own Internet Explorer 8 web browser.

• Independent.ie's version of Internet Explorer 8 offers users’ instant access to Independent.ie news, sport, entertainment and other website content in one simple click
• Simple search capabilities for the entire Independent.ie website and archive
• Faster, Easier and more Secure from the moment you start to browse
• Blocks two to four times more malware attacks than other browsers
• One click access to all Independent News & Media’s Irish and world-wide websites from ‘IE8 Favorites’

Independent.ie and Microsoft have announced the availability of Independent.ie’s own version of Windows Internet Explorer 8, the new web browser that offers the best solution for how people use the web today and can be downloaded at http://www.microsoft.com/ireland/ie8Independent/. Ian Byrne, Managing Director Independent Digital commented "The Independent.ie IE8 browser is an example of another ‘first’ in the Irish market that delivers extra value to our readers and advertisers. It follows on from recent innovations including the launch of Ireland’s first Semantic Web service, the rollout of Behavioural Targeted Advertising and a first to market with Video Advertising. Traffic has also seen uplift as a result of recent innovations, with Independent Digital now attracting 2.2 million unique users / browsers, up 23% from October 2008, according to the latest figures from ABCe. This partnership with Microsoft provides access to great technology and clever people".

“This is part of an ongoing innovation program in Independent Digital - publishers of Independent.ie - and innovation is key to our success" said Patrick Lenehan, CTO Independent Digital. Our business is run in the browser and we are delighted to partner with Microsoft in launching our own IE8 browser. All users of the Independent.ie IE8 browser will be able to use Independent.ie Web Slices and Accelerators as they browse and read any website. We believe these are great tools that make for a fantastic user experience. For Independent.ie it means that the full depth of our content is one simple click away regardless of what website the user is reading."

Independent.ie's search engine is the default search option enabling readers to search across over 10 years of material from Irish Independent, Sunday Independent and 14 leading Irish Regional newspapers including The Kerryman, Corkman, Wexford People and Drogheda Independent plus all online content including Breaking News. Bing Search from Microsoft provides search across the World Wide Web in the Independent.ie IE8 browser. "Search is consistently one of the most popular places on Independent.ie and having Independent.ie as the default Search option is another example of IE8 making it easy for the user to get things done their way" said Patrick Lenehan.

Ronald Dockery, client manager, Microsoft Ireland said that, "The partnership between Independent.ie and Microsoft offers users a browser that gives them simple instant access to content on the Independent.ie website. It gives users what they want, in terms of a simplified and safe web browsing experience via the fastest browser available right now."