News and Events - August 2003

Thu 28th Aug, 2003

Recent press

New Media Age has an extensive feature on motion pictures on mobile phones. "Java handset penetration is nearing 100m...", which puts Forbidden in a good technological position, as we first demonstrated video streaming to Java phones in the first half of 2002. NMA assesses the market as follows: "With Real confined to the high-end handsets, smaller companies such as the UK's Forbidden Technologies... have a chance to build up their own market share."

Tue 26th Aug, 2003

IBC tickets

Forbidden Technologies has a limited number of complimentary tickets for IBC2003 in Amsterdam this September. You can apply for a ticket here.

Thu 21st Aug, 2003

Summer student

Forbidden Technologies would like to thank Paul for helping to run our video compression service and for his work on a future product.

Mon 18th Aug, 2003

Live update

Forbidden is demonstrating our new live video compression technology. A near 100-fold increase in compression speed means that now, live, we can capture and compress video of 376x280 pixels, at 25 frames per second - large pictures with full motion video. The typical compression latency is 80ms. Alpha testing of live video streaming over the internet has begun with our partner SiteSeer. More details will be published in the run up to IBC2003, where Forbidden is exhibiting.

Fri 15th Aug, 2003

Recent press

New Media Age has picked up on BT InsightExec using Forbidden's video streaming technology. Forbidden is also mentioned in the AIM & OFEX newsletter: "... reminds us of other nascent new-ground-breaking technology companies with substantial addressable markets like ... Forbidden ... poised on the edge of commercial success ...".

Thu 14th Aug, 2003

Audio upgrade

Today we have doubled the sample rate of the audio on our broadband videos. This improves the sound quality significantly for those users with Java 1.2 and above, now the majority of hits on our site. This technology also cuts our broadband datarate by about 20kb/s, which benefits users of all Java versions. The high quality audio stream is also suitable for customers who require audio only playback as it plays easily over a modem, and without the need for a plug-in.

Tue 12th Aug, 2003

Employee option exercise

Three of our employees have exercised share options in Forbidden Technologies.

Fri 8th Aug, 2003

Epsom Go Tournament

Forbidden Technologies is sponsoring the second Epsom Go Tournament, which is being held this Saturday, 9th August. Go is an ancient game of tactics and strategy.

Thu 7th Aug, 2003

Pierre Danon speaks

Pierre Danon explains his vision for the new BT in an engaging video which is available to the 86,000 members of BT Insight Exec's CRM-Forum. The 45 minute video, which uses Forbidden's latest video streaming product, is presented in 19 chapters for ease of access. Pierre Danon is CEO of BT Retail, the UK's largest provider of communications services with 21,000,000 customer relationships. [Update] The Press release is here.

Wed 6th Aug, 2003

SiteSeer website

Our partner SiteSeer Ltd has upgraded its website. This now includes details of their latest offer, as well as new demonstration videos.

Tue 5th Aug, 2003

Fresh01

FRESH01 has published an article by our Sales Manager, Liz Mackenzie, in the Summer 2003 edition of its RE:FRESH newsletter. This is sent out to their current and potential clients. In "Video Streaming - Stirring up the Marketing Mix", Liz descibes the Tsunami heading towards the safe shores of new media. Email for a copy of this magazine-style newsletter. FRESH01 is a strategic and creative marketing communications agency.

Mon 4th Aug, 2003

Infrastructure upgrade

The installed base is moving on from the Java 1.1 available a few years ago. Much of Forbidden's technology already allows automagic detection of a playback machines' capabilities. The latest upgrade will enable improved performance with modern Java versions. This upgrade also comes with improved datarate and/or frame rate, available now.

Fri 1st Aug, 2003

IBC update

SiteSeer Ltd, a Forbidden partner, is sending two representatives to help man our stand at IBC2003 this September.