In the past few weeks, Mindjet has started to make some noise about a new version of MindManager that is scheduled to be launched in September – MindManager 2012. No mentions on the Mindjet Blog or website yet, just a few tantalizing hints via e-mail. Here is what’s featured in the latest announcement, which hit my inbox this morning:
According to this announcement, MindManager 2012 will have an integrated brainstorming tool that will enable you to generate, evaluate and take action on your ideas. Cool! Based on the description of the brainstorming process, it sounds like Mindjet may have partnered with RealizeAB to license their Realizer plug-in for MindManager and VisualMind (click here to read my review of theRealizer 2).
This has been part of Mindjet’s strategy during the past few years – to acquire or license technology from their partners and make them part of the core product. Recent examples include JCVGantt, which is now part of MindManager 9, and Mindjet’s licensing of the iPad app MyMind as the basis for its new Mindjet iPad and iPhone apps. This may be a superior approach for both Mindjet and its partners. My gut feeling is that only a relative minority of MindManager users have ever purchased any plug-ins – which means developers can’t afford to create new versions and you end up with a stagnant plug-in community. Better to integrate the best of them into the core product, where all customers can benefit from them. That seems to be the thinking.
In any case, brainstorming will be a welcome addition to MindManager 2012. It should help to transform what is already an excellent tool for capturing, distilling and organizing information into one that is also adept at generating new insights and ideas!
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