Microsoft will release Internet Explorer 9 on 14 March, while Mozilla has signed off on the release candidate for Firefox 4.

The release candidate for IE9 arrived last month, after a series of developer previews, but Microsoft suggested there were "still a few surprises left".

"There are a lot of new amazing things to share," said IE senior director Ryan Gavin, in a post on the IE blog.

The Monday release coincides with the start of the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.

Mozilla release

Meanwhile, Mozilla developers said the first release candidate for Firefox 4 would arrive either today or tomorrow, as soon as quality assurance (QA) checks were finished.

That's already happened this afternoon, according to developer Asa Dotzler on Twitter: "QA just signed off on Firefox 4 release candidate builds."

In notes from a Firefox delivery meeting today, Mozilla reported that there would likely be no need for a second release candidate - good news given the browser has seen 12 betas and is already trailing rival IE by a few weeks.

"QA has requested more time for thorough testing, so expect at least one to two more weeks before final ship," the meeting notes said.

Google today released the latest Chrome browser, as part of its six-week update cycle.

Pick up the latest issue of PC Pro - on sale tomorrow - to find out how Microsoft's browser stands up to its rivals.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/365842/ie9- ... -4-hits-rc

- the FF speculation, I couldn't give a fiddler's about IE9

How many are still using IE 6 or earlier?

Just over 11% according to Netmarketshare.com

Frightening

Yes it is. Though you cant blame Microsoft for all that apathy amongst users.

we use IE6 at work! not bad for a FTSE top 10 company but later this year we should be upgrading to "desktop 7", which unless our IT department are having a huge giraffe will be win 7 and IE8

Maybe they do not have enough money to test it?

As of this very week, we officially don't need to use IE6 any more at work. BT have finally moved us off their old portal; the one which says "best viewed in IE4" in the help file...

They have had the money for years but its the usual tectonic plate speed that can happen in big companies. IBM are curently enjoying a large amount of money to support lotus notes 6.5. from us because no one has made the decision to get either a newer version or a better mail client.

That could be because IT is regarded very low in corporate structures so no one in a position of power has any interest in it.