Some time ago, Enagadget reported that Microsoft announced that it
was teaming up with SanDisk last May to conjure up a suitable U3
replacement, to create a “new experience” for USB flash drives and
memory cards. According to the two companies, the new technology will
expand on and replace U3, and will let users carry their full personal
computing environment (including their familiar interface) with them in
addition to a few applications.

And now, after almost one year, rumors are that the Startkey,
the so-called Windows companion would essentially allow users to “carry
their Windows and Windows Live settings with them” on any sort of flash
memory device — be it a USB drive, SD card, etc. Interestingly, it’s
also being reported that Microsoft would like to “build an end-to-end
StartKey environment,” just like the U3.

Microsoft plans to release the first beta of the next version of Internet Explorer in the first half of 2008, and said that IE 8 has passed a key Web standards test that ensures the  browser won't "break" the Web.

according to the IDG News Service: IE8 has passed the "Acid2 Browser Test" from the Web Standards Project, which shows whether a browser renders a Web site in a certain way. If the browser renders the site correctly, it means the browser supports certain accepted Web standards.