January 29 - 12:55pm EST   CS Odessa today released ConceptDraw MINDMAP 5.3, an update to the mind mapping business productivity software for Mac OS X. The latest revision enables users to create visual eBooks based on mind maps, producing electronic books where all information is presented as a mind map rather than text paragraphs. ConceptDraw MINDMAP 5.3 is priced at $120 and $200 for the personal or professional edition, respectively (system requirements were unavailable). [full story]

January 28 - 10:20pm EST   Images are typically easier to remember than words because people think in pictures. When organizing thoughts, some use a traditional outlining method to arrange concepts using words. Mind mapping is a more efficient way to categorize the thought process, allowing the user to design a physical layout of their ideas with colors, locations, and pictures, in addition to words. You can create a mind map using colored pencils and paper, or you could use a mind-mapping program like MindManager 7 Mac. [full story]

January 4 - 10:20am EST   Fastforward has released an update for Meander, its mapping application for the Mac. The software is used to mark points, plan trips or measure distances on a map, and allows users to pull maps from online sources as well as ones scanned manually. Version 1.2 is a free update, which now lets users create their own custom measurement units, in addition to relying on common standards. The Preferences window in the software has also been reorganized, in order to match the look of the toolbar/unified window interface. [full story]

December 13 - 1:40pm EST   Photos of the new Land Rover LRX concept car suggest extensive integration with Apple's iPhone and iPod. The vehicle offers a space in the center console where drivers can insert an iPhone to essentially make the cellular handset a part of the car's electronics. The slot is angled to allow both the driver and passenger operate the touch-screen interface while on the road, providing hands-free phone calls along with access to the music library and Google Maps, among other features specific to iPhone. [full story]

December 4 - 5:25pm EST   Fastforward has launched the second edition of Meander, an advanced mapping application. In addition to planning routes, the software can be used to plot points and measure distances, using scanned maps as well as those pulled from websites such as Google. Version 2.0 updates the interface to better suit Mac OS X Leopard, and further allows users to export routes for posting on the web. Another major change is the ability to draw multiple lines on the same map, made possible by saving customized lines for each route rather than across Meander. [full story]

November 29 - 9:00am EST   James Associates has released MacTopos Canada 1.0, a collection of topographical maps for Canadian provinces, and has updated its GPS Software, MacGPS Pro 7.4. MacTopos Canada uses auto-georeferenced, compressed maps to use in conjunction with MacGPS Pro. The maps, which come on several DVDs, are from the National Resources Canada digital topography maps, allowing users to view them in 1:50K and 1:250K scale ratios, and include georeferenced index maps as well. Pricing for the maps vary between $20 and $50, depending on which province is purchased, and James Associates is currently offering them at an introductory discount. [full story]