FileMaker Pro 8.5 Ships

Good news for FileMaker Pro geeks. FileMaker Pro 8.5 has been released. In this initial post there are two new features I'll mention because they appear to be the most important: FMP is now a Universal Binary that will run natively on Apple's new Intel Macs and the new "Web Viewer".

I've not yet moved to an Intel Mac so I can't comment on FMP 8.5 in that regards but I am I'm very glad to hear that FMP is now Intel ready. I hope to upgrade from my trusty 1GHZ 12" PowerBook this fall and FileMaker Pro had been one of my concerns. What I can comment on is the new Web Viewer. I've downloaded the demo and have already hacked the included Contacts database to include a MapQuest Web View. Neat! I've actually incorporated web searches in previous databases such as my Bird Tracker which will search Wikipedia via a new window or tab in the default browser. With the Web Viewer of FileMaker Pro 8.5 I can now have the page displayed right in the database. This is going to rock.

So, to be clear, this new version of FMP includes an integrated web browser! Not only can you view web pages and pdfs on the web but local html files and pdfs as well. In fact, you can also view Quicktime and Flash on the web and locally. Basically, if it's viewable in Safari it works. I'm not sure how it's implemented on the Windows side but on the Mac side 10.4 and Safari 2.0 are required, at least for pdf viewing.

Setting up a Web View using the included Web Views such as MapQuest could not be easier. They include several that will be very helpful and from a quick look I'd guess that setting up new ones will not be too difficult. It goes without saying that this kind of implementation is going to be most useful for those that have a high speed connection. I'm sure I'll post a follow-up when I've had more time to experiment.

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