AppleInsider Staff
Apple subsidiary FileMaker, Inc., announced this week that it will discontinue development of its Bento consumer database application in order to better focus on developing its remaining products.
Customers will still be able to purchase Bento for iPad, iPhone and Mac through Sept. 30, but after that, the organizational application for individuals and small businesses will no longer be available. FileMaker has pledged to provide technical support for Bento products through July 30, 2014.
"We thank you for your support of Bento," the company said in a post to its support site. "We know that many Bento customers will be disappointed."
FileMaker Pro was also pitched as a potential software alternative for "certain users" of Bento for Mac. Bento users are encouraged to read the company's "Is FileMaker Pro right for you?" document.
FileMaker Pro is not as simple as Bento, but offers more control, customization, features, power and performance. However, FileMaker does not offer the following Bento features:
- Integration with OS X Contacts, iCal and iPhoto
- Rating, Encrypted, Simple List, File List and Message List field types
- Collections and Smart Collections
- Wi-Fi Sync with Bento for iPad and iPhone
The company also offers a Bento 4 to FileMaker Pro Migration tool that allows current users to migrate their data. The tool will convert existing Bento 4 for Mac data, including the contents of media fields and form designs, into a FileMaker Pro 12 database.
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82 Comments
Right, like after investing in Bento and Bento for iPad, users are going to look at FileMaker Pro... Sorry, my fingers are still burning from the last time! Moving on FM!
Apparently they will still offer support for another year so in that time I hope to see them add these 'missing' features as well as a simple and/or guided mode. And a price drop wouldn't hurt.
Disappointed, but not surprised. I've stuck with Bento since version 2 and it's never been anywhere near finished. So many glitches, bugs, and half-assed 'solutions'.
Isn't FileMaker a subsidiary of Apple? One thing a lot of people were clamoring for was for Apple to add a database to their iWork suite. If iWork hadn't been left stagnant since 2009 I'd say maybe this were actually an option, but nowadays I doubt it.
Bah.
Apple has decided that this is in keeping with their post-Steve corporate philosophy of innovating as little as possible, while litigating as often as possible. And seeing as no one was suing or being sued over Bento, it was obviously time to kick it to the curb.
Right, like after investing in Bento and Bento for iPad, users are going to look at FileMaker Pro... Sorry, my fingers are still burning from the last time! Moving on FM!
Not everyone takes it personally. Some users understand that FM discontinued Bento because it didn't sell well enough to continue to maintain it. Would you expect the company to lose money just to keep you happy?
If they want the more advanced features, why wouldn't they look at FileMaker Pro. The upgrade price is really good and FMP has a huge installed base so you know its not going anywhere.
I don't know what you mean by "burning from the last time." When has FileMaker burned you before?