Significant progress made in the Blackbird transformation to JavaScript in partnership with Leaning Technologies

Posted: 29/03/2018

29 March 2018, London – Forbidden Technologies plc (AIM: FBT), the developer and seller of cloud video platform technology using its patented Blackbird technology, announces that the Blackbird editor running in a standard JavaScript enabled web browser will be previewed at the National Association of Broadcasters (“NAB”) trade show in Las Vegas in April. This timely breakthrough has been made possible by the Company’s partnership with Leaning Technologies, a leading provider of web application development tools, and will enable the use of the Blackbird platform without requiring installation of any browser plugins or applications.

This Blackbird editor development is the next major step in moving the powerful cloud-native Blackbird suite of production and delivery tools to JavaScript. Developments in JavaScript itself, and the Leaning Technologies tools which support it, have made the rapid development of this product possible.

All features of the Blackbird editor in Java, which has already handled around eight million hours of professional video content in the cloud, will be available in the JavaScript version. Like the original Java version, the Blackbird editor in JavaScript gives the full panoply of video logging, clipping, editing, publishing and distribution tools. Forbidden will be releasing this set of capabilities over time.

Forbidden is making use of Leaning Technologies’ powerful new CheerpJ development tool. CheerpJ converts Java byte code directly into JavaScript web applications, which run in all major web browsers.

In addition to the new editor being 100% compatible with the Java version, any new features in the Java source will be converted into new web application versions.

Blackbird’s professional video editor is the most advanced media application to use CheerpJ.

“This latest partnership is a major resource for Blackbird, accelerating the conversion of the Blackbird editor to JavaScript by many months”, said Stephen Streater, R&D Director, Forbidden Technologies. “This innovation ensures Blackbird will continue to provide best-in-class efficiency in video production workflows for the foreseeable future.”

“I’m delighted that the teams at Forbidden and Leaning Technologies have made progress so quickly and that we have an early version to demonstrate at NAB. The ability to use Blackbird on any web browser will increase our addressable global market and overall market opportunity.” said Ian McDonough, the CEO of Forbidden Technologies.

The CEO of Leaning Technologies, Stefano De Rossi said, “We are delighted that the inspiring Blackbird editor in JavaScript is being demonstrated at NAB 2018, Las Vegas, USA. Compiled with our revolutionary CheerpJ compiler, our tight development processes and dependable software have allowed Forbidden to deliver their JavaScript editor in record time”.

Enquiries:

 Forbidden Technologies plc


Ian McDonough, CEO
Jonathan Lees, Finance Director

Tel: +44 (0)20 8879 7245

Allenby Capital Limited (Nominated Adviser and Broker)

Nick Naylor
John Depasquale
Katrina Perez

Tel: +44 (0)20 3328 5656

About Leaning Technologies
Leaning Technologies provides its customers with development tools and professional services to develop large-scale, high-performance web applications in Java and C/C++. Its professional services include full porting services, optimisation and WebAssembly consulting, and enterprise support.

Leaning Technologies offers CheerpJ, a Java-to-JavaScript compiler, and Cheerp, a C/C++ to JavaScript/WebAssembly compiler. These solutions enable its users to convert desktop and mobile applications into web applications effortlessly. Leaning Technologies was founded by Stefano De Rossi, Massimo Grava, and Alessandro Pignotti in 2012. It has offices in London, United Kingdom; and Amsterdam, Netherlands.

www.leaningtech.com

About Forbidden Technologies plc

Forbidden Technologies plc (AIM: FBT, www.forbidden.co.uk) floated in February 2000.

Forbidden develops, markets and licenses a powerful cloud video platform using our patented Blackbird technology. The technology underpins multiple applications which are used by rights holders, broadcasters, sports and news video specialists, post-production houses, other mass market digital video channels and corporations.

The Blackbird technology allows full visibility on multi-location digital content, improves time to market for live content such as video clips and highlights for social media distribution, and results in much more effective monetisation.

About Blackbird

Blackbird is a revolutionary cloud video platform which changes the way people work with digital video, maximising the value of video assets, and increasing monetisation in an evolving broadcast and digital landscape. Blackbird is the cloud-native provider of production and delivery tools, bringing workstation responsiveness and richness together with all the advantages of the cloud. Video professionals and teams working with live/non-live or high-volume video collaborate through hyper-accelerated accessibility, editing, distribution and delivery of video more efficiently, across the world.

Blackbird® is a registered trademark of Forbidden Technologies plc.