FileMaker Inc. (http://www.filemaker.com), a wholly owned subsidiary of Apple, has shipped Bento 4 for Mac, now available on the Mac App Store, and Bento 1.1 for iPhone, and Bento 1.1 for iPad.
New features include the ability to print labels, export libraries with data, automatically add geographical locations to records and lock down forms, says Ryan Rosenberg, vice president of marketing and services for FileMaker, Inc. For the first time with version 4, you can export Bento libraries populated with data and share these with other users.
Sending a complete library to another Bento user is as easy as emailing a file. You can also share your ideas with the world by sending your custom Bento templates directly to the Bento Template Exchange from within Bento 4. The Bento Template Exchange features over 800 free downloadable templates.
Rosenberg says Bento 4 is faster and easier to use. With faster launch times, the new version allows you to lock forms to prevent unwanted changes to a layout, easily switch from Table view to Form view, search by date ranges, and automatically create media fields.
Bento 4 automatically capturing the locations where your activities occur. With the addition of a new location field type, the database will automatically log your exact location using WiFi, GPS, or cell tower triangulation, depending on which Mac or iOS device you may be using when you enter or modify a record. With automatic location fields, you can record the location of site inspections, log customer visits, track travel sites, or capture survey locations.
Bento for iPhone and Bento for iPad have both received significant updates. You can now record voice memos into media fields on your mobile devices and tie them to your records for capturing events, logging meetings for later review, and just capturing notes without typing. Voice memos can be synched with Bento 4 for the Mac.
Bento for Mac users can make more use of their information on the Bento for iPhone and Bento for iPad. Now you can sync iCal tasks from the Mac, edit simple list data on your iPhone, and use related records to link libraries.
Other enhancements include multi-tasking and improved support for the iPhone Retina display.
For the first time ever, Bento for iPhone and Bento for iPad will be available in multiple languages including: Japanese, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch.
Available immediately, Bento 4 has a suggested retail of US$49 for a single user license or $99 for a family pack of five licenses, and is now available on the Mac App Store, FileMaker Store and Apple retail stores. Current owners of Bento 1, 2 and 3 for Mac are eligible for a $20 rebate.
Bento 1.1 for iPhone and Bento 1.1 for iPad are priced at $4.99 each. They’re sold separately and are available on the Apple App Store. Current owners of Bento for iPhone or Bento for iPad are eligible for a free update via the App Store.
