CNET:
Microsoft will shortly make available the test version of Internet Explorer 8, which is set for final release in the first half of this year.
Really? I can't imagine IE 8 will ship in the first half of 2008. This is almost certainly a typo, though we'll know more at MIX 08, next week, when Microsoft will formally announce the beta and show off IE 8 for the first time. My guess is the second half of 2008 at the earliest.
UPDATE: The article is incorrect as expected. On the IE Blog, it says that "a beta version of Internet Explorer 8 will be released in the first half of 2008."
My understanding is that the IE 8 Beta 1 invites, to date, have only gone out to the MSN "Butterflies," a group of testers who have tested such things as MSN Explorer and MSN Messenger. However, IE 8 Beta 1 will be made available to the public, of course.