Do you regularly use Filemaker on your computer?  Well, you can now access and edit your databases while on the move with the FileMaker Go, a lighter version of the long-running desktop application.

Being a mobile version, the app doesn't have all of FileMaker Pro's wide range of features.  There's no facility for creating and modifying database structures and scripts, for instance, so you'll have to do all the admin stuff on an actual computer.

What FileMaker Go lets you do is access any database created using FileMaker 7 or later, which you can load onto your iPhone via iTunes.  You can also connect to databases on a live FileMaker Server over 3G or WiFi.  From there, you can search, view, add, modify and delete records right from the handset, as well as display information in table, form and list formats.

Most scripts will work on the mobile version (you'll have to test to find out which ones will), too, allowing you to really extend what the database can do (very useful, considering the limitations of most mobile applications).  A few extra features also managed to make their way, including support for portals and web viewers.

Do note that you may need to adjust the layout of your forms so they don't look messed up on the iPhone's small screen.  Overall, though, the benefits far outweigh those limitations, making FileMaker Go for a must-have app for people who depend on the popular software's desktop version.  The caveat?  It's very pricey at $19.99 from the App Store.

[FileMaker Go]



Old users of Palm OS should be familiar with HanDBase, the long-running relational database system for the popular PDA platform.  DDH Software has finally ported a new version made especially for the iPhone and it offers much of the same talents.

Like the software's various incarnations on different mobile platforms, the iPhone version offers versatile database capabilities, with a robust and easy-to-use interface.  Screen size is especially a non-issue on the iPhone as everything works in a highly capable manner.

The app ships with a number of pre-designed databases (mostly simple ones like a checkbook and a movie list), with over 2,000 free downloadable templates available from their site.  There's a good amount of useful choices, though you'll probably need to design your own for very specific needs.

When creating a new database from scratch, you get a free reign on plenty of properties, including name, category, fields, field orders, views, security settings, author information and start-up option.  Unfortunately, the iPhone version of HanDBase does not include the very useful Forms feature, which could prove an issue for experienced users of the software.

Compared to other versions of the app, I found the iPhone implementation particularly easier to use.  Whether that's a credit to the phone or the developers is something I won't even get into.  Suffice to say, you'll find this a very useful and powerful tool to create and manage databases on your handset.

Time-tested and highly customizable, the new HanDBase port is arguably one of the best database tools (despite the barely-modern looks) for the iPhone.  It's now available on the App Store for $9.99.

DDH Software

Back when I had my first PDA (oh my, how far we've come), database apps were my favorite tools, allowing me to collect pretty much any set of data for an infinite number of uses.  Bento for iPhone is the mobile version of one of the most popular database and organization software titles for the Mac, allowing you to fashion all sorts of lists and collections with a very convenient interface.

This app offers full integration with the desktop version, allowing you to access and manage them directly from your handset, with changes reflected on both platforms.  While the Mac interface is incredibly friendly, the iPhone version just takes my breath away.  To put it simply, it's one of the nicest-looking iPhone apps available today.

As such, the stylish interface makes it an ideal tool for cataloguing various information, including personal data, private collections and business inventory.  Everything from creating new records to sorting lists are gorgeously implemented, making the process completely trouble-free.

Unfortunately, it has not yet matured enough to make full use of the iPhone's various hardware features.  While it integrates nicely with the camera (allowing you to take snaps and save it with your records), it offers no support for the GPS (which would have been immensely useful) or the built-in mic (voice recording would be awesome to save).  I'm pretty sure it will come with future iterations, so keep your fingers crossed regarding later updates.

As it is, though, Bento for iPhone designed largely for data and personnel management, rather than project management (as it can be used on a Mac), due to the lack of integration with iCal.   For personal needs, you can also use it as a standalone app, without a need to install the desktop counterpart.

While it's fairly limited compared to full-blown database applications, the features it offers are enough to allow for a wide variety of uses.  Throw in the fact that it combines a stylish interface with very fast operations and you've got yourself a real winner.

Photo Credit: Bento