Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) released the latest version of its Web browser, saying that it would work at faster speeds, deliver better graphics and be less obtrusive to users.

Internet Explorer 9, unlike previous versions and many competing browsers, pushes itself into the background.

"People go to the Web for site, not the browser," said Dean Hachamovitch, general manager for IE, at a press event in San Francisco. "Today Web sites are boxed in, the box is the browser."

IE9 is available in a public beta, or trial version, in more than 30 languages. Many of the world's most popular sites including Facebook, Amazon.com (AMZN.O), Time Warner Inc's (TWX.N) CNN, eBay (EBAY.O) and Twitter have sites that take advantage of IE9's new features.

The browser has become one of the most important programs on a PC. As people watch more video and use sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, browser makers are making their latest versions quicker and better at handling graphics.

More: http://www.reuters.com/article/idCNN1518556720100915