[/caption]Rumors are floating around that the next version of Internet Explorer [version 8] might incorporate "Private Browsing". Apple's Safari already has this feature. If implemented, IE would be the second browser to have this built in.
Microsoft filed two trademarks on July 30th:
CLEARTRACKSIC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: computer programs for accessing and using the Internet and the world wide web; and computer programs for deleting search history after accessing websites
INPRIVATEIC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: computer programs for accessing and using the Internet and the world wide web; computer programs for disabling the history and file caching features of a web browser; and computer software for notifying a user of a web browser when others are tracking web use and for controlling the information others can access about such use
The final build of Firefox 3.0 didn't incorporate this feature, although it's very possible that a future version of Firefox could build it in. There's always been an option to clear ALL cached & private data upon exiting Firefox. While this option wouldn't be exactly like what Internet Explorer and Safari have in mind, it's a safer method all together. You can find plugins for Firefox that already do this.
Internet Explorer 8 beta 2 should be released any day now. It'll be interesting to see whether or not this feature is incorporated. It wouldn't surprise me if a plugin is available for IE7 that has this same feature.
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