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Not every Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) developer in the world is working on the next great iPhone application.
Some, like the people at
SmileOnMyMac, still see a great deal 
of upside in creating programs for OS X-powered Mac computers.
Since 2003, the quirkily named company has developed six applications for Mac computer users. Cofounded by partners Philip Goward, Greg Scown and Jean MacDonald, SmileOnMyMac has been profitable since day one.
With Goward based in San Francisco, Scown in Castro Valley, Calif., and MacDonald in Portland, Ore., Smile OnMyMac is a true virtual company. Most of the development work is done "in-house," so to speak, but the company also farms out some of its work to contract software engineers.
Neighbors and Business Partners
"I met Jean first, actually," Goward, a 42-year-old Englishman from Leister, told MacNewsWorld. "We lived in the same building in Portland and became friends. I met Greg through Jean's sister. We actually met in person for the first time at Macworld in San Francisco in 2003."
Today, MacDonald handles marketing and publicity for the tiny company, while Goward and Scown handle the software development.
Goward wouldn't disclose annual revenue figures, but he said one of the ways SmileOnMyMac has maintained profitability from the start is by keeping costs to a minimum.
"We've been really careful about keeping the overhead down," he said.
As for the unorthodox setup as a virtual company, Goward said it works.
"I see Greg once a month or something like that," he said. "In one sense, I feel like I see him every day, because we talk every day online. So it's sort of like chatting online with someone in the next cubicle over -- only you never see them."
The Applications
SmileOnMyMac has six applications designed to interface seamlessly with the OS X Mac operating system:
- TextExpander. This application is designed to save users time by cutting down on the typing of repetitive information. For example, an administrative assistant responsible for writing an executive's correspondence can save time by creating customized text strings -- such as the company's name, mailing address and telephone number -- that appear when keystrokes are entered in a particular combination.
- PDFpen and PDFpenPro. PDFpen enables users to add text, images and signatures to PDF files, as well as make corrections and fill out PDF forms. Users can also merge, delete and re-order pages in a PDF document.
- DiscLabel. DiscLabel enables users to create, print and share professional-looking CD labels, jewel case inserts and DVD covers. Users can use their own photographs or drag and drop images from a Web browser to the software.
- PageSender. This was SmileOnMyMac's first application. Users can fax direct from any application on their Macs.
- BrowseBack. This is a Web history tool that presents a visual interface of every Web page a user visits. Mac owners can also search their Web page history by keywords, because the software stores them all offline on their Mac hard drives.
The individual applications vary in price, Goward said, but they can all be purchased in one package for US$129.99.
The process for getting permission from Apple to interface with its operating system is fairly simple, at least compared to the process for creating iPhone applications, he said. "You just have to register your application with Apple each year. Apple makes it very easy. The approval process is pretty much instant for OS X."
For 2009, SmileOnMyMac is working on major improvements to PDFpen and TextExpander.
Goward declined to say whether the company will come out with any brand new products for the Mac or for the iPhone this year.
And How Did They Come Up With That Name?
The story behind the company name is a bit anticlimactic.
"Before we joined forces, Greg's company was called 'Smile Software' and my company was called 'OnMyMac,'" Goward said. "That's how we came up with our fun name. Some people love it, and some people think it's nuts."
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