This Week's Sponsor:

Kolide

Ensure that if a device isn’t secure it can’t access your apps.  It’s Device Trust for Okta.


MindNode 3.1 Adds Redesigned Outline, Markdown Export

MindNode is an elegant and powerful mindmapping app that I use on all my devices to visualize thoughts and topics before writing an article or preparing research for a podcast episode. I’ve been a fan of MindNode for years, and I was particularly impressed with version 3.0, which brought a new iOS 7 design alongside more intuitive interactions, better iCloud sync, and keyboard shortcuts.

Today’s 3.1 update, available on the App Store, features an entirely new sidebar for your mindmap outline that replaces the app’s old popover. The advantage of the sidebar approach is immediately clear on the iPad, and especially in landscape mode: with the new version, you can keep the map and sidebar open at the same time, tapping on items in the outline to select the respective node on the map (and vice versa).

This change makes for a fantastic experience when navigating large documents that branch in different directions: nodes can be folded and unfolded directly in the outline, with changes reflected on the map; you can pan around while the sidebar is shown, and double-tap a line in the outline to select the item on the map and edit it. Basic font formatting like bold and underline is shown in the sidebar as well, and animations for folding sections and reopening them are smooth. At the top of the sidebar, you can search for any string of text and results will be highlighted as you tap in the outline.

Another addition that I’m happy to see in MindNode is Markdown export, available from the app’s sharing menu.

Because I tend to prepare longer articles as maps in MindNode, I find value in being able to export from the app directly to my text editor of choice. In the screenshot above, you can see a MindNode document exported to Editorial 1.1.

MindNode continues to strike a great balance between good looks and advanced features, and the new outline mode in version 3.1 lets you browse and edit large maps without losing MindNode’s ease of use.

MindNode is available at $9.99 on the App Store.

Unlock More with Club MacStories

Founded in 2015, Club MacStories has delivered exclusive content every week for over six years.

In that time, members have enjoyed nearly 400 weekly and monthly newsletters packed with more of your favorite MacStories writing as well as Club-only podcasts, eBooks, discounts on apps, icons, and services. Join today, and you’ll get everything new that we publish every week, plus access to our entire archive of back issues and downloadable perks.

The Club expanded in 2021 with Club MacStories+ and Club Premier. Club MacStories+ members enjoy even more exclusive stories, a vibrant Discord community, a rotating roster of app discounts, and more. And, with Club Premier, you get everything we offer at every Club level plus an extended, ad-free version of our podcast AppStories that is delivered early each week in high-bitrate audio.

Choose the Club plan that’s right for you:

  • Club MacStories: Weekly and monthly newsletters via email and the web that are brimming with app collections, tips, automation workflows, longform writing, a Club-only podcast, periodic giveaways, and more;
  • Club MacStories+: Everything that Club MacStories offers, plus exclusive content like Federico’s Automation Academy and John’s Macintosh Desktop Experience, a powerful web app for searching and exploring over 6 years of content and creating custom RSS feeds of Club content, an active Discord community, and a rotating collection of discounts, and more;
  • Club Premier: Everything in from our other plans and AppStories+, an extended version of our flagship podcast that’s delivered early, ad-free, and in high-bitrate audio.