Filed under: Software
FileMaker's Bento 3 announced, available immediately
FileMaker has announced the release of Bento 3, the next version of its database program for the Mac, available for purchase immediately. The upgrade comes just a couple weeks shy of a year from the debut of Bento 2.
Changes in Bento 3 include:
- iPhoto integration, allowing you to use your images directly from iPhoto without an export/import step
- Share Bento libraries over a local area network (however, you can't share over the Internet)
- Grid View, which allows you to see multiple images and forms all at once
- Simple List field
- Library folders
- New security options including database passwords and encrypted fields
- Group e-mailing
- The ability to print blank forms
- The ability to add an image box for static images
Bento costs $49, but current users of Bento 1 and 2 qualify for a $20 rebate for a limited time. Customers who purchased Bento 2 between August 30 until October 14 can upgrade for free. A family pack of five licenses is $99. An upgrade to Bento for the iPhone and iPod touch [iTunes link] to resolve any compatibility issues with Bento 3 will be available soon.
Bento 3 requires OS X 10.5.7 or above, and can be run on G4 (867 MHz or faster), G5 and Intel processors. 512 MB of RAM and 1GB of available hard drive space is recommended. A 30-day trial version of Bento 3 is available.
FileMaker will host a Twebinar, described by the company as a combined Webinar and live Twitter session, at 11 a.m. PDT to discuss the new features in Bento 3.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Galley said 9:33AM on 9-29-2009
Looks fantastic!
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Martin said 9:39AM on 9-29-2009
Not downing on it or anything, and not trying to be a negative Nancy, but was it really not possible to put a password on a database in Bento 2?
I'm interested in the software, but that seems to be a very basic feature to be missing until Bento 3.
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Arlo Guthrie said 10:05AM on 9-29-2009
Serious question: As cool as it looks, I can't for the life of me figure out what I would actually do with Bento. Does anyone here use it? And if so, how?
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Information Central said 6:04AM on 10-16-2009
Basically to fill a glaring gap on the Mac: the lack of an Outlook-like personal information manager. Using Bento, you can create memos WITH CATEGORIES and to-do lists (again with categories). Not to mention more specialized databases like recipes.
Most important of all, you might be able to sync this info with the iPhone version of Bento, although it suffers from some presentation defects that will hopefully be rectified soon (for example, you can't filter records; you can only sort them).
Disgracefully, however, even Apple's own Bento can't sync directly between the computer and the iPhone. You have to use the same kind of hokey wireless workaround that third-party developers have resorted to. And gee, Apple's top-of-the-line computer doesn't come with a wireless card. If it's connected to a secure network, you can't sync with the phone at all.
GJ, Apple.
Johnny Thrash said 10:55AM on 9-29-2009
I use it at work to keep track of all the software licenses that are assigned to each person in the building. When I need to reinstall a copy of Windows (cringe)... I have quick and easy access to all the serial numbers licensed for that user.
Now that sharing has been added, I will have even more use for it.
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iGlad said 12:15PM on 9-29-2009
I am happy about the $20 rebate and so will buy Bento 3 however I think I have a good use for it. It looks so good seems a shame not to use it.
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Josh Carr said 2:08PM on 9-29-2009
I have to ask... there was a 900MHz G3 iBook... I find it interesting that Filemaker says G4 processor, but technically that G3 iBook could run Leopard. hmm...
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Loupus said 4:40PM on 9-29-2009
"Customers who purchased Bento 2 between August 30 until October 14 can upgrade for free."
I can't find this on Filemaker's web site. May I have a link please?
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TJ said 7:30PM on 9-29-2009
I swore off Bento after I finally caved and purchased Bento "1" based on an email sent by them talking it up, only to have Bento 2 released 3 weeks later and no discount for upgrading. I get that no one wants the proverbial "Osbourne effect" but when you're in the lead up to launching a new version of a product, don't pimp out your outgoing one, at least not without some incentive to upgrade. I'm glad to see that there is an upgrade price now, but it's a bitter taste that's hard to get rid of.
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perry_maxwell said 7:45PM on 9-29-2009
@ Loupus:
I second that request for a link on the free upgrade. Every site seems to be repeating the same quote from the press release, but no actual details beyond that. Is this free upgrade period for real?
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perry_maxwell said 8:06PM on 9-29-2009
OK, found the info for the free upgrade on this page:
http://www.bentotrial.com/bento3/
You have to fill out a form and submit it with the receipt, etc.
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lee said 8:50PM on 9-29-2009
I've had Bento since v1 and loved it's ability to tie into standard mac apps like contacts, ical and more...
That said, couldn't find a reason to use it until the iPhone app came out.
Put together a roster for my son's college team, complete with stat's, pictures and more. And did it in about 30 minutes. Very cool. Only wish I could share the database with other parents and fans who have iphones. The iphone app cost is only $5 but to sync it requires the desktop version.
Anyway, works well for what it does. Recommended.
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lee said 8:53PM on 9-29-2009
Oh, and I just downloaded the free upgrade... got the link from an email sent from filemaker...
Information Central said 6:07AM on 10-16-2009
And it doesn't sync directly; it requires wireless as a workaround, so Mac Pro users on secure networks are out of luck.
Cy Starkman said 2:20AM on 9-30-2009
All sounds peachy...
And yet, does it actually work with the address book properly yet, cause its been VERY weak to date. This was why I got it and the limitations are a total fail.
For Filemaker I reckon it is inexcusable to not be linking into things like that well. Esp for Bento as a Mac only product
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peej said 9:07AM on 9-30-2009
I use bento for my insurance inventory of stuff I own. It's great for that but I can't say I'm super excited about the new version. Guess that's why they're offering a rebate to existing customers.
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Norm said 2:05PM on 12-01-2009
One of my favourite features is the ability to share, import and export templates. I set up a free template sharing site at : Bento Templates. Let me know what you think and share your ideas for templates.
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Norm said 2:06PM on 12-01-2009
whoops, the url isn't in there: www.bentotemplates.com