Database Comes To iPad, iPhone

FileMaker has released FileMaker Go in both iPhone and iPad versions, enabling mobile access to and manipulation of FileMaker databases.FileMaker, a wholly owned subsidiary of Apple, makes the popular FileMaker Pro/Pro Advanced/Server suite of database products (which also run on Windows). The new FileMaker Go products enable mobile workers to work with FileMaker databases from their devices, including searching and sorting records and adding, modifying, or deleting information. The company also says advanced FileMaker Pro features such as Quick Find, External SQL Data Sources, and scripts all also work in FileMaker Go.

FileMaker Go can access Server- or Pro-hosted databases via local wireless or the Internet. For times when those connections won't be available, the necessary database material can be copied into FileMaker Go via iTunes, and changes made on the mobile device can later be written back to the home database.

The mobile product can't create a database on its own, however -- it has to start with a file from the Pro or Advanced desktop version. FileMaker Go works with databases created by FileMaker Pro versions later than 7, and Pro Advanced versions later than 8. Connecting directly to hosted databases requires versions 10 or 11 of FileMaker Pro, Advanced, or Server.

FileMaker Go for the iPhone and iPod Touch costs $19.99 and for the iPad, $39.99; both require iOS 4.0. More information, including the differences between the mobile version and the desktop versions, is available here; iTunes users can buy the program here.