Microsoft: Internet Explorer 4.0 will ship September 30

Microsoft Corporation announced today that the final release version ofInternet Explorer 4.0 will ship on September 30. Originally planned as acompelling upgrade to the successful IE 3, IE 4 has taken on a life of itsown and should be regarded as an operating system upgrade, not a simpleWeb browser. IE 4 changes the Windows 95 and NT 4.0 user interface to support a browser-like, single-click Shell that sports an HTML-based userinterface and desktop. A recent deal with Apple Computer may bring a similar level of integration to Mac desktops next year as well.

Microsoft is already taking pre-orders for the final release IE 4.0 CD-ROM,which will cost approximately $5. You can order the IE 4.0 CD-ROM from theMicrosoft Web site now.

This "limited edition commemorative" CD also includes $100 worth of couponsfrom leading IE 4.0 backers such as Warner Brothers, NBC, ESPN, and others.If you don't want to pay for the CD, you will be able to download IE 4.0from the Web site starting September 30.

Windows 3.1 and Macintosh versions of IE 4.0 are expected 30-90 days after the initial Windows 95/NT 4.0 release