Google's Schmidt resigns from Apple's board; Jobs: It would be recusal city

Summary: Apple said Monday that Google CEO Eric Schmidt will resign from the board of directors since the two companies increasingly compete.In a statement, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said (emphasis mine):“Eric has been an excellent Board member for Apple, investing his valuable time, talent, passion and wisdom to help make Apple successful.

Apple said Monday that Google CEO Eric Schmidt will resign from the board of directors since the two companies increasingly compete.

In a statement, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said (emphasis mine):

“Eric has been an excellent Board member for Apple, investing his valuable time, talent, passion and wisdom to help make Apple successful. 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.”

That's about as blunt as you can put it. No sense with Schmidt being on Apple's board since he wouldn't attend any meetings. Schmidt's resignation is essentially a proclamation that Google and Apple compete going forward.

The timing of Schmidt's resignation is interesting. The Federal Communications Commission is looking into Apple's decision to turn down Google Voice related apps. It's likely that those inquiries would put Apple and Google into an odd spot.

The resignation also shows that mobile is increasingly important. In fact, Google's Android may be the only viable competitor to the iPhone going forward. Sure, there's Palm, RIM and Windows Mobile, but the smartphone industry will be a game of courting developers, apps and ease of use. In the early going, Android has the parts.

Topics: IT Employment, Apple, CXO, Enterprise Software, Google, Legal

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14 comments
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  • It will be interesting reading the reporting

    One the one side, we have Google, a darling company, who is considered
    an 800 pound gorilla despite never having had any real commercial
    success outside of internet search.

    On the other side, we have Apple, a company considered always on the
    edge of the Greatest Mistake Ever That Will Ruin Them Forever, despite
    producing a string of huge commercial successes in widely varying
    markets.

    We should hook a generator up to the spin machine and power a city
    from it.
    frgough
    • Interesting

      [i]We should hook a generator up to the spin machine and power a city from it.[/i]

      Much the same way you do?
      GuidingLight
  • RE: Google's Schmidt resigns from Apple's board; Jobs: It would be recusal city

    "In fact, Google?s Android may be the only viable competitor to the iPhone going forward. Sure, there?s Palm, RIM and Windows Mobile, but the smartphone industry will be a game of courting developers, apps and ease of use. In the early going, Android has the parts."

    Please take note of this and have a reality check. RIM and Windows Mobile are the ONLY phones in the Enterprise right now. RIM totally dominates, it isn't even a contest. Big Business runs on MS Exchange and the only 2 real options are Blackberry and Windows Mobile.

    Apple will not be competing in this space in the near future...mainly because it is a closed platform and businesses like to deploy custom applications into the mobile devices. The only way to add an application to an iPhone is through their app store...and then there is the complete lack of corporate level security...

    Android isn't even a footnote in the business world. Outside of Google itself, it doesn't exist.

    All of your free advertising for Apple and Google... and the iPhone is still losing the market share war with RIM in the corporate space...rather dramatically.
    condelirios
    • iPhone apps outside of appstore...

      "Apple will not be competing in this space in the near future...mainly because it is a closed platform and businesses like to deploy custom applications into the mobile devices. The only way to add an application to an iPhone is through their app store..."

      FYI, it is possible to deploy applications to the iPhone outside of the App Store. All applications have to be digitally signed, and can be 'signed' to be distributed via the App Store or via 'Ad-Hoc Distribution' in conjunction with the iPhone UUID. In the case of 'Ad-hoc' distribution, you deploy using iTunes.

      our company uses this method to install internal applications that are never intended to hit the app store.
      kl007
    • RE: RIM and Windows Mobile

      I agree with a lot of your comment, except that my Windows mobile is horrible working with our enterprise exchange while my boss uses the iPhone without problems. Of course, my Windows Mobile is horrible with everything else I try to do as well. That is probably why it isn't dominating. As soon as I can get something else, anything else, I am dumping it. Also, iPhone is starting to target corporate exchange customers more.

      Either way, clearly, RIM, Palm Web OS phones, and Windows phones are a big part of the competition.
      RedVeg
    • Yes...

      So what you're saying is that RIM and Windows Phone compete in one arena, and the iPhone and Android in another, yes? I guess that proves the original point:

      "Google?s Android may be the only viable competitor to the iPhone going forward"
      phyrefly.phyre@...
  • Ya don't suppose...

    that the Google Voice rejection and Google siccing the FCC on
    Apple/ATT might have been the last straw, do ya???
    Userama
  • All sets up for Windows Phone domination...

    When my rep told me Windows Mobile was being retired and Windows Phone was now the new name, I knew Google and Apple were finished. This Google/Apple split is pure panic as both sides know Windows Phone is set to dominate. Pocket Word and Pocket Excel allow me to write termination letters for my MCSE's from the convenience of my phone. Usually my rep and I are out "chillin" at Starbucks when the desire arises to fire someone. I launch Pocket Word and write the termination letter and voila, MCSE on the street. My rep and I then drink fine coffee and celebrate the opportunity to offshore more work. Windows Phone enables this, Google and Apple are done.
    Mike Cox
    • Now [i]that[/i] is the Mike Cox

      we have missed!

      [i]Pocket Word and Pocket Excel allow me to write termination letters for my MCSE's from the convenience of my phone.

      I launch Pocket Word and write the termination letter and voila, MCSE on the street[/i]

      ROTFL!
      GuidingLight
    • Bravo

      Well done Mr. Cox
      Larry Dignan
    • RE: All sets up for Windows Phone domination

      I have a Windows Mobile (but not for long) and it is the worst piece of junk ever. Its IE is completely useless, its email is horrible to read or navigate and is very unreliable against exchange, pop, and imap servers, it locks up a lot...

      So, I don't think anyone will worry about them until they show that they can make something worth having.
      RedVeg
  • rollon the Google Player

    ipods look out!
    The 'G-Man.'
  • RE: Google's Schmidt resigns from Apple's board; Jobs: It would be recusal city

    posted to wrong place somehow... trying again...

    phyrefly.phyre@...
  • RE: Google's Schmidt resigns from Apple's board; Jobs: It would be recusal city

    cajjzd,good post!
    dfwekrdfe3701-24353674902965393353664642483588