Microsoft launches Internet Explorer Developer Channel

Microsoft released a modified Internet Explorer version on Monday that is primarily aimed at web developers. With the browser, which runs independently alongside IE 11, the software giant wants to show which platform features it works on.

The modified version of Internet Explorer, which Microsoft calls Internet Explorer Developer Channel, includes improvements to F12 Developer Tools. One of those improvements includes event breakpoints, which should make it easier to spot bugs in events earlier.

Microsoft also supports the WebDriver standard with the IE Developer Channel, which allows developers to write code to automate browsers for testing. In addition, the gamepad API is activated in the browser by default, which means that developers can control Internet Explorer with, for example, an Xbox 360 controller. Finally, the separate developer edition also offers better WebGL support, Microsoft reports.

The software giant says it regularly shares new code, while the company continues to work on new features and standards. Microsoft does warn that the browser cannot be used to measure site performance, because the browser runs in a separate environment within Windows. In addition, the IE Developer Channel, which is only available for Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 SP1, would also not be suitable for enterprise environments.