In a not-so-surprising move, Google CEO Eric Schmidt has resigned from Apple’s Board of Directors. A conflict of interest has come between the two corporate giants. In recent news, Google announced their new Chrome OS; they currently run the Android OS on many cell phones, and they are expanding their search and web applications. What it comes down to is this: Schmidt simply does not belong on the Apple BoD any longer. With Google services starting to overlap in areas that Apple has lived in for decades, this is a smart decision for Google. Although Google and Apple can be labeled competing companies, it would be wise for them to maintain a healthy relationship as many of Google’s services (namely, Maps & YouTube) come pre-loaded on all Apple iPhones. As of late, though, things have become stale between the two; Apple continues to reject Google applications that too closely resemble and function like Apple apps. The recent Google Voice rejection definitely left a bad taste in Schmidt’s mouth, I bet. Check out the full PR release after the break.
Dr. Eric Schmidt Resigns from Apple’s Board of Directors
CUPERTINO, California-August 3, 2009-Apple today announced that Dr. Eric Schmidt, chief executive officer of Google, is resigning from Apple’s Board of Directors, a position he has held since August 2006.
“Eric has been an excellent Board member for Apple, investing his valuable time, talent, passion and wisdom to help make Apple successful,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Unfortunately, as Google enters more of Apple’s core businesses, with Android and now Chrome OS, Eric’s effectiveness as an Apple Board member will be significantly diminished, since he will have to recuse himself from even larger portions of our meetings due to potential conflicts of interest. Therefore, we have mutually decided that now is the right time for Eric to resign his position on Apple’s Board.”
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.