Today Filemaker has released Bento, an application they are marketing as “the new personal database...that’s as easy to use as a Mac.” Bento features integration with iCal and Address Book, and allows you to keep track of various projects or types of data. For example, you can use Bento to keep track of your exercise log, track billing, use it to keep track of class assignments, manage projects, and then some.

From the little bit of time I’ve spent with it, Bento seems to be pretty flexible, and works pretty much as you would expect it to. It actually seems like it has the potential to be a pretty cool little app.

FileMaker is currently running a preview program (a nice way of saying “beta” I guess). To take part in the preview program, you will need to fill out a form. After submitting the form, you’ll get an email with a download link. The preview is free t participate in, and you’ll get 30 days to tinker with Bento. Macworld notes that Bento will be officially released in January for $49 ($99 for the family pack).

I’ll post my first impressions of Bento whenever I get around to it (hopefully tonight).