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

There are also additional tweaks to existing features, and 10 additional templates available for use.

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.