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Microsoft still hasn't released details about the next version of Internet Explorer, but a remark by IE group program manager Tony Chor in this Friday post could be interpreted to mean that it will soon.

Chor was discussing the first year of Internet Explorer 7, and he concluded the post with this: "While we're happy with how well IE7 is doing, as always, we continue to listen to our customers and find ways to further improve Internet Explorer," he wrote. "Look for more news on this front in the coming weeks."

On a related topic, ZDNet blogger Ryan Naraine has an analysis of a new report in which Microsoft's Jeff Jones, a security strategy director with the company, asserts that Internet Explorer has been experiencing fewer security vulnerabilities than Firefox has. Writes Naraine:

The report, which is sure to raise hackles among open-source advocates, is clearly an attempt by Microsoft to extol the virtues of its SDL (security development lifecycle) and commitment to security. However, there's one key thing missing from Jones's analysis -- the auto-patching mechanism built into Firefox that gives Mozilla a clear advantage over Microsoft.

More Microsoft-related news and notes ...

Executive departure: Mary Jo Foley points out that Scott Di Valerio, who oversaw the company's relationships with computer makers, has quietly left to work for one of them: Lenovo.

Possible Tablet PC news: On the subject of clues about unannounced products, Robert Scoble hints in this post that H-P will have some Tablet PC-related news at the Consumer Electronics Show next month, based on the sneak peak he received of the "top-secret stuff" the company will be showing there.

Xbox 360 Fall Update: The next big online update for Microsoft's game console is scheduled for release this week. Details on this page.