Apple Inc passes Microsoft Corp in marketing capitalization on Wednesday. Now Apple is only behind of Exxon Mobil among the U.S. companies.

Apple’s shares rose 1 percent on Nasdaq on Wednesday, pushing its market value up to $225.1 billion and ahead of Microsoft’s $222.7 billion. Apple shares were up 1 percent above $247 in late afternoon trading. Microsoft shares were down 2.2 percent to $25.50.

This happens in less than 3 months after Apple passed Walmart to become the company with the third highest market cap.

After decreasing in October of 2008 and then again in January of 2009 (when Apple CEO Steve Jobs took a six-month leave of absence), Apple’s stock has been on the rise. In fact, it has increased 95% over the last 52 weeks.

Microsoft has launched Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 version in English, German, Japanese and Simplified Chinese languages.

As far as I know Windows Vista users will have to find the uninstaller for beta 1 and it is located under: Control Panel, Programs & Features and in the left menu: “Installed Updates” under the listing Windows Internet Explorer 8. You will then be required to restart your system before beta 2 can be installed.

In new IE 8 they have enhanced tabbed browsing, good looking address bar, Inprivate browsing, undo closed tabs. Even you can reopen last browsing session.