Mac database application Bento has been updated with several noteworthy features and made its Mac App Store debut. Additionally, companion iPhone and iPad apps, each costing five bucks, have been enhanced with support for Bento 4 for Mac and the ability to record voice memos and sync iCal tasks. Mac folks who own a previous Bento version can upgrade for just $29 with a $20 instant rebate upgrade and newcomers are free to download Bento 4 from the Mac App Store for fifty bucks. Here’s a quick rundown of the new stuff.
New Bento 4 features include label printing support, form printing options and the ability to lock forms to prevent unwanted changes, export templates with data and automatically create Smart Collections for time-sensitive information using the new new date searching options. Users on the go like field researchers, survey takers, real estate agents, and mobile salespeople will appreciate the ability to assign geographical locations to their records, making it easier to track where information was entered or modified. Other nice-to-haves include the ability to submit your templates to Bento’s online repository, take advantage of new spreadsheet-like features in Simple Lists and more.
Bento is being developed by FileMaker Inc., a software subsidiary of Apple. The application is pretty popular among the Mac community, especially for tracking projects and productivity-oriented tasks, such as managing contacts.