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"If you have used Bento, the lightweight personal database application for the Mac, then Bento for iPad [iTunes link] will already feel familiar to you \u2014 especially if you've used the iPhone version as well.\nThe iPad version is based on its smaller cousin but adds a number of features and enhancements to make the app really shine on the larger device.\nIf you're not already familiar with Bento, think of it as Filemaker Light. It lacks some of the depth and power of its more full-featured database counterpart, but for organizing common types of collections of data and information for personal use, Bento brings extreme ease of use to the table. The application challenges the stereotype that databases are the province of geeks and technologists, and makes organization of sets of data not only straightforward but even enjoyable.\nWe've been testing out the iPad version of Bento for a couple of weeks and wanted to share our impressions of the $4.99 app, which also syncs with the desktop version of Bento as well.\nBento for iPad Enhancements\n\n\n\n\nIn the iPad version, you not only get the ability to see more of a single record in one glance, but you also get the advantage of both portrait and landscape support. In landscape mode, a split screen view shows off both an individual record's details as well as the complete list of records in a Library or Collection (two of the metaphors used for Bento's database storage; the Collection is a subset of a Library). Switching to portrait mode gives you an uncluttered view of a single record, with swipe gestures providing the scroll mechanism to view the remainder of longer entries.\nText fields in this version are expandable, allowing you to collapse longer text and description fields in order to see more of a total record on the screen at one time. Web links can be viewed right from within the app, spawning a Safari sub-window that can be closed when finished without losing your place within Bento. A global search function captures most field types, making it easy to find exactly the records you're looking for at any given time. \nDatabase Creation\n\n\n\n\nAs in the desktop version, creation of a new database (a.k.a. Library) is easy and straightforward. You have 15 field types to choose from, including text entry, numerical, choice (create a predefined list of options), URL and more. Adding a new field is as simple as clicking the edit icon (a pencil at the top right of a record) and dragging and dropping a New Field icon into the record. Simply choose your field type and edit any relevant details, and the new data point will be included in the Library.\nYou can also choose to start off with any of the 25 included templates ranging from recipes to inventory and expenses to issue tracking. From there you can further customize by adding or deleting fields as your needs require. If you also own the desktop version of Bento, you can use and sync with any of the many user-created templates for Bento as well.\nBento Sync\nIt's the syncing functionality with the desktop version that truly extends the power of Bento for iPad \u2014 but the latter version works quite well as a standalone lightweight database for iPad users as well. Still, if you do use Bento on the desktop, setting up the sync feature is as easy as connecting your iPad and computer to the same Wi-Fi network, entering a passcode and sitting back for a few moments while sync works its magic. It's a powerful way to keep your Libraries and Collections in sync across devices, including the iPhone version if you use that as well.\nThe three-part Bento system is a great way to keep your options open \u2014 some will opt for the full complement of synced apps and others' needs may be filled entirely by one or more editions. Because of the extra screen real estate afforded by the iPad, this version of the software stands up very well as an isolated app and may be a good option for iPad owners who just aren't ready to shell out the full $49 for the desktop version of Bento.\nCheck out a demo video of Bento for iPad below and let us know what you think of the Bento ecosystem.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFor more technology coverage, follow Mashable Tech on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook\n\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2010/05/10/bento-ipad/>