Google chief steps down from Apple's Board of Directors

[AppleInsider]

As Google continues to encroach on Apple's businesses with Android and Chrome OS, the company's CEO, Eric Schmidt, has resigned from the Apple Board of Directors, it was announced Monday.

Schmidt has served on the board since August of 2006. Speculation arose earlier this month that the unveiling of Google's new operating system, Chrome OS, might force the company's chief executive to resign. Monday, that prediction came true.

"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."

Tension between Google and Apple developed last week, when Apple rejected the Google-developed Voice application from the iPhone App Store. Apple also began pulling third-party Voice applications. As a result, Apple and Google, along with AT&T, are currently the subjects of an investigation by the Federal Communications Commission.

Schmidt already had to recuse himself from board meetings that involved iPhone plans, many of which would clash with Google's own attempts to promote its Android mobile operating system. Though the Google executive was adamant that the two companies don't occupy the same markets, the Federal Trade Commission has been investigating the Apple-Google link for a possible violation of antitrust laws through unfair collaboration.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[merdhead]

About time, shit is flying from all directions, his position is untenable.

[jetset]

This was bound to happen sooner rather than later with Google's Android and Chrome OS being direct competition to Apple's iPhone OS and Mac OS X.

[aplnub]

Did it finally take the FCC letter to motivate everyone involved to see this happen? I like Eric, I like Google and Apple in bed together, but it just can't be that close when both companies are doing the same thing even though they get along.

[Quadra 610]

Awww it's on now!!!

[monstrosity]

shame really. But inevitable, and probably sensible. I still hope they can keep that 'special relationship' alive.

[Timon]

Originally Posted by monstrosity

shame really. But inevitable, and probably sensible. I still hope they can keep that 'special relationship' alive.

It would make sense for then too after all they now have to battle Microsoft and Yahoo. It makes more sense if they do it as close friends.

[Zoolook]

I've been using Google for ten years, but I'm getting worried about their expansion, because the areas in which they're going are needless and fracture the eco system. Whatever we say about Microsoft, at least you know where you stand - you can keep your Word documents on your own HDD and open them with just about any application. I have no idea how far Google will go. Anyone think you'll be able to run Firefox or Safari on Google OS? Or Silverlight for Netflix etc?

Google has been my home page since 1998; I'm just not sure anymore.

[Johnny Mozzarella]

Who will replace him?

Tim Cook? or an outsider?

[zmac]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

Who will replace him?

Tim Cook? or an outsider?

Tim Cook, for sure!

[pmz]

It's about time. The joke has been on us for a while. The conflict of interest has existed for months if not longer.

Maybe well get REALLy lucky and someone who does not work closely with Obama for the further
control of American lives, will gain control of Google.

[wobegon]

Anyone think maybe, just maybe Apple blocked Google Voice apps precisely because of Schmidt's position on Apple's Board, which could have given AT&T the ability to claim collusion?

Naw, it's just Apple being evil against its close partner Google, even though Apple has zero skin in either the cellular service or VOIP markets.

[chronster]

Originally Posted by Zoolook

I've been using Google for ten years, but I'm getting worried about their expansion, because the areas in which they're going are needless and fracture the eco system. Whatever we say about Microsoft, at least you know where you stand - you can keep your Word documents on your own HDD and open them with just about any application. I have no idea how far Google will go. Anyone think you'll be able to run Firefox or Safari on Google OS? Or Silverlight for Netflix etc?

Google has been my home page since 1998; I'm just not sure anymore.

I think you can relax dude. Seriously, if you're worried about anything like this, you're investing too much emotion into it. Your life will be fine, just chillax

[chronster]

Originally Posted by wobegon

Anyone think maybe, just maybe Apple blocked Google Voice apps precisely because of Schmidt's position on Apple's Board, which could have given AT&T the ability to claim collusion?

Naw, it's just Apple being evil against its close partner Google, even though Apple has zero skin in either the cellular service or VOIP markets.

AT&T so far has claimed it has absolutely no involvement in the app approval process.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/31/f...le-voices-iph/
"AT&T spokesman Brad Mays has sent us a statement denying any involvement in the app store process: "AT&T does not manage or approve applications for the App Store. We have received the letter and will, of course, respond to it," he says. That said, its involvement in Slingbox's rejection certainly does raise some eyebrows here."

[al_bundy]

Originally Posted by Zoolook

I've been using Google for ten years, but I'm getting worried about their expansion, because the areas in which they're going are needless and fracture the eco system. Whatever we say about Microsoft, at least you know where you stand - you can keep your Word documents on your own HDD and open them with just about any application. I have no idea how far Google will go. Anyone think you'll be able to run Firefox or Safari on Google OS? Or Silverlight for Netflix etc?

Google has been my home page since 1998; I'm just not sure anymore.

really doesn't matter since tech changes very fast. I remember 10 years ago everyone thought MS was going to rule the world. Then tech changed to "cloud" and mobile computing and MS is a big laggard. they were one of the first in mobile computing but failed to do it right with Bill Gates trying to replicate the PC experience on the cell phone. It took Apple and RIM to show them that people only want a subset of features and they want them to work easly.

now that everyone is going on about "cloud computing" i think we're close to having the cycle change again. Apple's rumored tablet seems to fit some needs that Google doesn't. Right now a lot of people get DVD players installed in cars and have to take a stack of discs on the road. Apple tablet is a nice alternative.

cell network bandwidth is about to explode like it did from the late 1990's to now and you can now carry around days of content with you and update it anywhere you have a cell/wifi connection

google's biggest problem is that it's easy to migrate to other services. a lot easier than migrating from a PC to a Mac. and the Apple/Palm/RIM model works better than the Google/WinMo model of going through third parties to design most of your cell phone. HTC doesn't care if they use WinMo or Android or some other OS and they won't care about your branding like Apple does about the iPhone's branding.

[Rokken]

Originally Posted by chronster

AT&T so far has claimed it has absolutely no involvement in the app approval process.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/31/f...le-voices-iph/
"AT&T spokesman Brad Mays has sent us a statement denying any involvement in the app store process: "AT&T does not manage or approve applications for the App Store. We have received the letter and will, of course, respond to it," he says. That said, its involvement in Slingbox's rejection certainly does raise some eyebrows here."

AT&T does not manage or approve applications for the App Store directly, which is Apple's job, but it's dubious that it has absolutely no involvement in the app approval process.

[Zoolook]

Originally Posted by chronster

I think you can relax dude. Seriously, if you're worried about anything like this, you're investing too much emotion into it. Your life will be fine, just chillax

It doesn't affect my meditation, sex-life or how I treat my team at work... So not worried to that extent...

...but some people I know are extremely heavily invested in Google and it doesn't seem easy to untangle yourself. My wife tracks all her invoice time-sheets on Google Docs (she's a freelance writer) plus all her email correspondance on Gmail (she never uses a local client to read them, all cloud). She also has a stock portfolio stored on her Google Finance home page.

Personally I don't want my data on the cloud, I want it on my USB drive and HDD... 'cos I am paranoid enough to think Google might very well not have my best interests at heart.

[OC4Theo]

This guy stole a lot Apple secrets and should be tried for industrial espionage.

His replacement should be from the trucking industry, no more tech CEOs for Apple!

Enough is enough!

[wobegon]

Originally Posted by chronster

AT&T so far has claimed it has absolutely no involvement in the app approval process.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/31/f...le-voices-iph/
"AT&T spokesman Brad Mays has sent us a statement denying any involvement in the app store process: "AT&T does not manage or approve applications for the App Store. We have received the letter and will, of course, respond to it," he says. That said, its involvement in Slingbox's rejection certainly does raise some eyebrows here."

Yep, I saw that report. Considering the bolded sentence contradicts the underlined one, I'll be waiting for the response Mr. Mays alluded to.

[John.B]

Originally Posted by pmz

Maybe well get REALLy lucky and someone who does not work closely with Obama for the further
control of American lives, will gain control of Google.

How would this news mean anyone would gain control of Google? This is the Apple board, not the Google board. Is your tinfoilhat on right?

[AjitMD]

Originally Posted by OC4Theo

This guy stole a lot Apple secrets and should be tried for industrial espionage.

His replacement should be from the trucking industry, no more tech CEOs for Apple!

Enough is enough!

There is no doubt that GOOG has behaved unethically. How can their CEO sit on AAPL board for a long time, listen to all the confidential info about current and future products like the iPhone... while developing a sneak product like Android? Sure he is quitting now after doing all the damage!

They want to compete with MSFT, but at the same time they did not hesitate to get the regulatory agencies here and in the EU involved. Talk about under handed crybabies.

Anyway, I do not trust their web business model for my business or even personal needs. If I keep too much info there, I can be held hostage by GOOG, or anybody who can get access to the info. All this info like addresses, calendars, searches, email, plus business docs can be used against anybody. At least with my PC/LAN, I got control of the data and I do keep remote back ups.

Add Android to the user and GOOG in control of the individual. They can shut anybody down, and even start extracting all kinds of fees. Sooner or later they will want to monetize all this "free" stuff they give. I have learnt that in life, there is not much "free". Even freedom is not free!

[charlituna]

Originally Posted by aplnub

Did it finally take the FCC letter to motivate everyone involved to see this happen? I like Eric, I like Google and Apple in bed together, but it just can't be that close when both companies are doing the same thing even though they get along.

the letter was probably a factor yes. As it was Eric had to miss meetings and such when the iphone was discussed and probably should have left one or the other as soon as Google announced they were getting into the mobile os game.

Originally Posted by Timon

It would make sense for then too after all they now have to battle Microsoft and Yahoo. It makes more sense if they do it as close friends.

there are close friends and then there is living together. they can still work together on some projects but not have common board members. as it is, there were issues because Eric couldn't be at meetings where the iphone was discussed due to conflict of interest and need for secrecy. which was likely most meetings. better to let him just get a report at his google office of things affecting google that were talked about. no risk he'd get info he shouldn't have and his day isn't wasted sitting outside waiting for it to be okay to come in and hear the meeting.

Originally Posted by Rokken

AT&T does not manage or approve applications for the App Store directly, which is Apple's job, but it's dubious that it has absolutely no involvement in the app approval process.

you can bet that there's something in the contracts about nothing that unduly taxes the data network (like slingbox allegedly would have) or takes functions from ATT's service (like the Google based 'texting' would have)

so through that, ATT could cut off apps but not be the ones to stamp the red stamp

Originally Posted by Zoolook

Personally I don't want my data on the cloud, I want it on my USB drive and HDD... 'cos I am paranoid enough to think Google might very well not have my best interests at heart.

forget best interests, how about not really knowing how safe your info is from loss. at least if it is on my computer and I don't back it up, that's on me. but how do I know about what they are doing. I don't. I just have to trust them.

[typ993]

Yet sadly, Bill Campbell still remains as Intuit continues to stick it to Mac users.

[Tofino]

Originally Posted by OC4Theo

This guy stole a lot Apple secrets and should be tried for industrial espionage.

His replacement should be from the trucking industry, no more tech CEOs for Apple!

Enough is enough!

i'm not sure that would work out. remember when they brought the pepsi dude in? that didn't work out so well... except for the newton of course!

[Zoolook]

Originally Posted by charlituna

forget best interests, how about not really knowing how safe your info is from loss. at least if it is on my computer and I don't back it up, that's on me. but how do I know about what they are doing. I don't. I just have to trust them.

I agree with your second part, but lets NOT forget best interests at all. I don't want Google's web crawlers sniffing my documents and figuring out (or making assumptions) that I might be applying for a loan, or about to sue my neightbour or whatever. Don't think it'll comne to that? Right...

Didn't Amazon remotely wipe 1984 from thousands of Kindles recently? The ability to be subversive should never be in the hands of someone like Google. Look at how they help the Chinese government suppress freedom over there... What if there is a sudden change in government in some country and they request Google hand over any documents that might be considered 'dangerous'. They will, if they think it'll save them a few bucks.

[SpinDrift]

Ooh, I really hope the parting was not on bad terms. I like the fact that Google and Apple are allies and I'm not sure we'd like the result if things turned sour.

[801]

With a brand new cloud computer in the works, maybe Apple will get into search. Search with the Apple angle.

Yea, I know, there's a lot of other interesting products you can create with a cloud, but still.

Just think'in.

[Shogun]

What gets me is now he'd have to recuse himself from discussions about Apple's OS. But now he already has an OS in process. He should have recused himself from OS discussions as soon as Google began to undertake the project. Not cool, I say.

[Boogerman2000]

This great news. Both companies are at the forefront of the future of mobile computing and have no business to be partnered at this time. Friendly, healthy competition will produce great results. hopefully they will remain cordial, I expect it is in each of their own best interest to remain so. That said, maybe now we will see multitouch come to android?

[chronster]

Originally Posted by charlituna

forget best interests, how about not really knowing how safe your info is from loss. at least if it is on my computer and I don't back it up, that's on me. but how do I know about what they are doing. I don't. I just have to trust them.

This is a common reaction I've seen, and a bit over-the-top to be honest. There's nothing that says you need to backup every file you have, and if their storage goes down (highly unlikely) you still have the files on your own hdd.

I mean, I do get kind of weirded out by the idea (big brother's watching you type of stuff) but I don't really have anything that I would back up that I see important enough that it would get stolen. They really want an english paper I wrote for school? Or my pictures to a local theme park? These are the things I see getting backed up by people, not corporate secrets or home-made porn lol.

[whatisgoingon]

Now they have to kick the Intuit CEO off Apple's board... Really, after the repeatedly buggy, feature incomplete apps they've released in the past, now their "rewrite" of it for the Mac has 2 whole developers on it (as part of a team of 5).

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

Who will replace him?

Tim Cook? or an outsider?

There is not a "minimum" number of people required to be on a board of directors, plus they are technically more important than the company's president because their votes help decide the direction of the company.

[zoobs]

those of you that contend that eric schmidt is a traitor are perhaps missing a deeper theme here. though google has released android and now chrome os, please ask yourselves why they have not included multi-touch on android when it would be very easy to implement and would boost the usabilty of android tremendously. answer, it would hurt apple's iPhone.
then ask yourself why when google finally did enter the OS market, they chose to do so via chrome os, a very strictly limited 'web os' i.e. not a google branded, google marketed full version of linux with a nice UI on the front that they actually use in house on their developer computers. answer it would hurt apple's OS X and Mac business.
Google and Apple have consciously decided to attack microsoft from the high end and low end separately,(beit in Phones, netbooks or computers) while not harming each others core business and doing their best not catch the eye of anti-trust regulators.

[Trajectory]

Schmidt did the right thing. Tim Cook should be appointed to replace him.

http://www.businessinsider.com/give-...im-cook-2009-8

[Lukeskymac]

Originally Posted by zoobs

those of you that contend that eric schmidt is a traitor are perhaps missing a deeper theme here. though google has released android and now chrome os, please ask yourselves why they have not included multi-touch on android when it would be very easy to implement and would boost the usabilty of android tremendously. answer, it would hurt apple's iPhone.
then ask yourself why when google finally did enter the OS market, they chose to do so via chrome os, a very strictly limited 'web os' i.e. not a google branded, google marketed full version of linux with a nice UI on the front that they actually use in house on their developer computers. answer it would hurt apple's OS X and Mac business.
Google and Apple have consciously decided to attack microsoft from the high end and low end separately,(beit in Phones, netbooks or computers) while not harming each others core business and doing their best not catch the eye of anti-trust regulators.

1-Because Multi-touch is patented
2-Because Google wants something new and doesn't appeal to the high-end market (which Apple is all about)

[lightstriker]

Jobs stay on Board. Cook becomes CEO. The Board will want another outsider like Jung and Drexler. Maybe NASA's Director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Charles Elachi

[hypermark]

At the risk of tooting my horn, in March of LAST year, I wrote a post called 'The Chess Masters: Apple versus Google' that essentially asserted two things.

One that Apple and Google are without peers in terms of their ability to build products that cross the once impenetrable boundaries between PC, mobile, media and Internet segments.

Two that given their respective mammoth ambitions, ‘friends’ Apple/Google are destined to become ‘frienemies’ ala Apple/Microsoft (circa 1990).

Looks like destiny is being realized.*

Check out the post if interested:

The Chess Masters: Apple versus Google:

http://bit.ly/P9HJs

Mark

[ouragan]

Apple and Google are not competitors because Apple, unlike Google, is a computer hardware company which refuses to license its operating systems, Mac OS X and iPhone OS. Google is a software-only company which will license its operating systems to any company willing to install them on their cell phones or computers.

The real reason for the break-up is this one:

Tension between Google and Apple developed last week, when Apple rejected the Google-developed Voice application from the iPhone App Store. Apple also began pulling third-party Voice applications. As a result, Apple and Google, along with AT&T, are currently the subjects of an investigation by the Federal Communications Commission.

Clearly, Eric Schmidt wants to be able to testify against Apple in the upcoming anti-trust proceedings. Steve Jobs came up with a brave narrative, but Apple broke the law and will be compelled by the Courts to change its anti-competitive behaviour.

The real winners will be Apple customers who will benefit from lower prices and a greater selection of software.

[lostkiwi]

Originally Posted by ouragan

Apple and Google are not competitors because Apple, unlike Google, is a computer hardware company which refuses to license its operating systems, Mac OS X and iPhone OS. Google is a software-only company which will license its operating systems to any company willing to install them on their cell phones or computers.

The real reason for the break-up is this one:




Clearly, Eric Schmidt wants to be able to testify against Apple in the upcoming anti-trust proceedings. Steve Jobs came up with a brave narrative, but Apple broke the law and will be compelled by the Courts to change its anti-competitive behaviour.

The real winners will be Apple customers who will benefit from lower prices and a greater selection of software.

@outragan, no offence, but you do know what happened to Apple the last time they licensed their software to anyone and everyone? ... We almost lost Apple is what happened!
I would think Apple of all companies would learn from the mistakes of their past..

[samurai1999]

Apple should have dropped Schmidt as soon as they heard of Android
- it's an outrageous conflict of interest

- the Chrome OS is a further encroachment by Google
- so he had to go.

I don't think the AT&T anti-trust case will worry Apple
- it doesn't matter much to them if iPhones can be used for free voice-calls
- but it matters to AT&T