Google CEO Eric Schmidt to Discuss Role on Apple's Board in Wake of Chrome OS Announcement

MacRumors · Jul 10, 2009, 09:15 AM

Reuters reports that Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who has served on Apple's Board of Directors since 2006, will discuss with Apple how his role on the board may change in the wake of increasing overlap between the two companies' markets. The report comes just one day after Google announced that it will be entering the operating system market with Chrome OS, initially targeted at netbook computers.

Quote:

Because Google's new Chrome OS would compete with Apple's own computer software, Schmidt said on Thursday he would talk to the Mac computer maker about whether he should recuse himself from Apple's board.

"I'll talk to the Apple people. At the moment, there's no issue," Schmidt told reporters at a Sun Valley media and technology conference organized by boutique investment bank Allen & Co.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission last month reportedly began taking an interest in the two companies' ties for potential antitrust reasons, as both Schmidt and Arthur Levinson, former CEO of biotech firm Genentech, are directors of both Apple and Google.

With Google's release of its Android operating system for mobile phones, Schmidt has recused himself from discussions regarding the iPhone at Apple board meetings, and it now appears that the operating system overlap between the two companies may necessitate further restrictions on Schmidt's participation with Apple, if not an outright resignation if potential solutions are deemed unworkable.

Article Link: Google CEO Eric Schmidt to Discuss Role on Apple's Board in Wake of Chrome OS Announcement

fletch33 · Jul 10, 2009, 09:18 AM

interesting. if it is anything like "Google's release of it's Android mobile phone" then i see no reason that he should step down as it will also be quickly forgotten

Meandmunch · Jul 10, 2009, 09:20 AM

Time to step down. If the guy can't be fully briefed on the happenings of the company then there becomes less and less point keeping him around. He may already be looking for a way out and this was a subtle (not so subtle) way of doing it.

andiwm2003 · Jul 10, 2009, 09:23 AM

well, he should not discuss his role in the future.

he should discuss his role over the past 12 month.

google certainly worked on the chrome OS and the related business strategy for the past year. and sitting on the board of a company startegically based on a cutting edge OS certainly helped a lot.

Porco · Jul 10, 2009, 09:25 AM

"Come in Agent Schmidt! Your work is done. The turtle has left the ocean. REPEAT: The turtle has left the ocean."

Crash Override · Jul 10, 2009, 09:26 AM

He may simply be playing some games with Jobs....these guys think alike, according to what I see and read. With MSFT tying to horn in on Google with BING and Apple's shared disdain for them, you never know! You are assuming that this isn't something that they have been planning. Jobs thinks way, waaay ahead. Either he's furious that Google is treading on their turf, or there may be a long-term goal or opponent in the marketplace the two companies share.

Don't scream mutiny quite yet...

sbrhwkp3 · Jul 10, 2009, 09:28 AM

I was thinking about this the other day.

Certainly an interesting situation. I don't see google's OS going very far though.

Chintan100 · Jul 10, 2009, 09:28 AM

Resign from Apple's board, Schmidt. "Dont Be Evil".

sbrhwkp3 · Jul 10, 2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash Override

He may simply be playing some games with Jobs....these guys think alike, according to what I see and read. With MSFT tying to horn in on Google with BING and Apple's shared disdain for them, you never know! You are assuming that this isn't something that they have been planning. Jobs thinks way, waaay ahead. Either he's furious that Google is treading on their turf, or there may be a long-term goal or opponent in the marketplace the two companies share.

Don't scream mutiny quite yet...

I tried bing the other day. I hate it.

Chintan100 · Jul 10, 2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbrhwkp3

I was thinking about this the other day.

Certainly an interesting situation. I don't see google's OS going very far though.

You are right. It wont go too far IMO.

Will its wallpaper be randomly changing ads?

realgenius · Jul 10, 2009, 09:33 AM

Why don't Google and Apple merge and just get it over with?

zombitronic · Jul 10, 2009, 09:34 AM

Well, Apple doesn't sell a netbook, so...

I understand that this could potentially be used for desktops and laptops. Unless they charge for it, I don't think he should step down. I think it's good to have a "competitor" so close to you. It's like the old quote; "Keep your friends close. Keep your enemies closer." Not that they're even enemies.

Seriously, this will hurt Microsoft more than Apple. This will presumably be able to run on a Mac, so I see the issue. However, not many people buy a Mac only to install an OS on it other than OS X. There are already a ton of PCs out there. If the claim is that the PC market will boom because of Chrome OS, I don't buy it. These are the hundreds of thousands of non-specialty machines that run an OS as a commodity, not a feature. Unless Google starts selling their own line of computers, I don't feel that Schmidt should leave.

oTaRu · Jul 10, 2009, 09:34 AM

I wonder what's Eric Schmidt had spoke to Steve....

"Sorry Steve... I should have told you earlier..."

or

"Oh Steve... It's about time..."

or

....

jaw04005 · Jul 10, 2009, 09:38 AM

Also in the article was this:

Schmidt also said he was kept well abreast of the circumstances surrounding Apple founder Steve Jobs' medical leave of absence.

In January, Jobs began a nearly six-month leave to seek treatment for unspecified health issues. He received a liver transplant while on leave, and returned to work last week.

Apple and its board have been criticized by some observers for failing to disclose the exact state of Jobs' health.

"I was extremely well-informed as a board member with what was going on with Steve," Schmidt said. He declined to comment further on the matter.

DELLsFan · Jul 10, 2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacRumors

...With Google's release of its Android operating system for mobile phones, Schmidt has recused himself from discussions regarding the iPhone at Apple board meetings, and it now appears that the operating system overlap between the two companies may necessitate further restrictions on Schmidt's participation with Apple, if not an outright resignation if potential solutions are deemed unworkable...

Schmidt needs to recuse himself further - by resigning from Apple's Board. In my view, it became a conflict of interest the moment Android was released. I think there is nothing but bad news for Apple and Google both if he stays on after the Chrome OS is released.

Chintan100 · Jul 10, 2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombitronic

Well, Apple doesn't sell a netbook, so...

He may even be told to resign because Apple may be working on a netbook.

Ok, yeah, i know, they have denied it but thats how they work.

They even said they wont be making cheaper iPods without a screen and after 3 months came the iPod shuffle.

Apple's netbook (or whatever similar portable device they make) may be debut next year co-inciding with Chrome OS'es launch.

So there's the problem as i see it.

smakdown61 · Jul 10, 2009, 09:47 AM

Seems like there might be some competition between apple's upcoming mini tablet and a google chrome netbook....

Mackan · Jul 10, 2009, 09:48 AM

I see no point in him staying on Apple's board. That left out multitouch thing on the Android still comes to mind... when others like Palm and HTC use it.

TwinCities Dan · Jul 10, 2009, 10:02 AM

It's probably time to step down. The Apple/Google relationship has been great but there seems to be more and more overlap as of late.

*LTD* · Jul 10, 2009, 10:04 AM

At present I don't see how a free, netbook-centric Google Chrome would compete with Apple's full-blown OS X. Unless this is all confirmation that Apple will indeed be releasing a tablet-like device. But even then, it will be quite different from your average netbook running a slim/underpowered OS. If Apple goes after the "low end" of the market it certainly won't feel like it.

In any case, if Jobs thinks there's a conflict of interest, he'll ask Schmidt to leave. If not, then there's no problem.

Really not a big deal.

thegoldenmackid · Jul 10, 2009, 10:06 AM

Given his stance with the iPhone it would seem logical that he would recuse himself here too, I guess he could stay onto discuss: Hardware Design, Apple TV, MobileMe, etc...

talkingfuture · Jul 10, 2009, 10:09 AM

This could have an important outcome. Google and Apple could be powerful allies in the future, I'd prefer that to fierce rivals.

iPhoneNYC · Jul 10, 2009, 10:22 AM

Sha-na-na-na, Hey hey, good-bye.

Ksg89 · Jul 10, 2009, 10:24 AM

IMHO they are very different markets, unless apple are moving into the "notebook" market ^_^

KTut · Jul 10, 2009, 10:31 AM

To even things out Steve Jobs should be made a member of Google's board!

Then they can both report back about the other...

Jul 10, 2009, 09:18 AM
fletch33 macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Under a Rug	interesting. if it is anything like "Google's release of it's Android mobile phone" then i see no reason that he should step down as it will also be quickly forgotten __________________ 13" Macbook Pro 2.53GHz 09 Mini 2.0GHz 2GB RAM 07 Mini 2.16GHz 2GB RAM 13" 2.0GHz White Macbook G4 Tower 1.6Ghz 2GB RAM

Jul 10, 2009, 09:20 AM
Meandmunch macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2002	Hmmm Time to step down. If the guy can't be fully briefed on the happenings of the company then there becomes less and less point keeping him around. He may already be looking for a way out and this was a subtle (not so subtle) way of doing it. __________________ GIBBS

Jul 10, 2009, 09:23 AM
andiwm2003 macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Boston, MA	well, he should not discuss his role in the future. he should discuss his role over the past 12 month. google certainly worked on the chrome OS and the related business strategy for the past year. and sitting on the board of a company startegically based on a cutting edge OS certainly helped a lot.

Jul 10, 2009, 09:25 AM
Porco macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2005	"Come in Agent Schmidt! Your work is done. The turtle has left the ocean. REPEAT: The turtle has left the ocean." __________________ Mac: Hey PC, what you doing? PC: I'm playing a Blu-ray movie disc. Want to borrow it after I've finished? Oh... sorry, I forgot about your bag of hurt 'problem'. Can't you get an ointment for that?

Jul 10, 2009, 09:26 AM
Crash Override macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2009	Not so Fast He may simply be playing some games with Jobs....these guys think alike, according to what I see and read. With MSFT tying to horn in on Google with BING and Apple's shared disdain for them, you never know! You are assuming that this isn't something that they have been planning. Jobs thinks way, waaay ahead. Either he's furious that Google is treading on their turf, or there may be a long-term goal or opponent in the marketplace the two companies share. Don't scream mutiny quite yet...

Jul 10, 2009, 09:28 AM
sbrhwkp3 macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lake George, NY	I was thinking about this the other day. Certainly an interesting situation. I don't see google's OS going very far though.

Jul 10, 2009, 09:28 AM
Chintan100 macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: India	Resign from Apple's board, Schmidt. "Dont Be Evil". __________________ http://www.lotofwallpapers.com \| Only the best wallpapers. 8 GB iPod Touch; 13" MacBook Pro, 2.53 Ghz, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB HDD.

Jul 10, 2009, 09:33 AM
realgenius macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2008	Why don't Google and Apple merge and just get it over with?

Jul 10, 2009, 09:34 AM
zombitronic macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2007	Well, Apple doesn't sell a netbook, so... I understand that this could potentially be used for desktops and laptops. Unless they charge for it, I don't think he should step down. I think it's good to have a "competitor" so close to you. It's like the old quote; "Keep your friends close. Keep your enemies closer." Not that they're even enemies. Seriously, this will hurt Microsoft more than Apple. This will presumably be able to run on a Mac, so I see the issue. However, not many people buy a Mac only to install an OS on it other than OS X. There are already a ton of PCs out there. If the claim is that the PC market will boom because of Chrome OS, I don't buy it. These are the hundreds of thousands of non-specialty machines that run an OS as a commodity, not a feature. Unless Google starts selling their own line of computers, I don't feel that Schmidt should leave.

Jul 10, 2009, 09:34 AM
oTaRu macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2008	I wonder what's Eric Schmidt had spoke to Steve.... "Sorry Steve... I should have told you earlier..." or "Oh Steve... It's about time..." or .... __________________ 24" Aluminum iMac 2.66 Ghz, Macbook 2.16Ghz, iPhone 3G white, iPod video 30G, iPod 3rd gen, iPod Shuffle 2nd gen 1gb

Jul 10, 2009, 09:38 AM
jaw04005 macrumors 68030 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: AR	Also in the article was this: Schmidt also said he was kept well abreast of the circumstances surrounding Apple founder Steve Jobs' medical leave of absence. In January, Jobs began a nearly six-month leave to seek treatment for unspecified health issues. He received a liver transplant while on leave, and returned to work last week. Apple and its board have been criticized by some observers for failing to disclose the exact state of Jobs' health. "I was extremely well-informed as a board member with what was going on with Steve," Schmidt said. He declined to comment further on the matter.

Jul 10, 2009, 09:47 AM
smakdown61 macrumors newbie Join Date: Aug 2008	Seems like there might be some competition between apple's upcoming mini tablet and a google chrome netbook....

Jul 10, 2009, 09:48 AM
Mackan macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2007	I see no point in him staying on Apple's board. That left out multitouch thing on the Android still comes to mind... when others like Palm and HTC use it.

Jul 10, 2009, 10:02 AM
TwinCities Dan macrumors Demi-God Join Date: May 2008 Location: Land of 11,842 Lakes	It's probably time to step down. The Apple/Google relationship has been great but there seems to be more and more overlap as of late. __________________ "TCD is good enough, smart enough, and dog-gone it, people like him." - rdowns

Jul 10, 2009, 10:04 AM
LTD macrumors 68000 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Canada	At present I don't see how a free, netbook-centric Google Chrome would compete with Apple's full-blown OS X. Unless this is all confirmation that Apple will indeed be releasing a tablet-like device. But even then, it will be quite different from your average netbook running a slim/underpowered OS. If Apple goes after the "low end" of the market it certainly won't feel like it. In any case, if Jobs thinks there's a conflict of interest, he'll ask Schmidt to leave. If not, then there's no problem. Really not a big deal. __________________ Mac OS users have made a conscious technology choice and are therefore typically better informed than their peers. -- Paul Thurrott, winsupersite.com, December 06, 2004

Jul 10, 2009, 10:06 AM
thegoldenmackid macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Plano, TX/Winston-Salem, NC	Given his stance with the iPhone it would seem logical that he would recuse himself here too, I guess he could stay onto discuss: Hardware Design, Apple TV, MobileMe, etc... __________________ themacfeed.com KRK Powered peace[darfur Help my external hard drive guide.

Jul 10, 2009, 10:09 AM
talkingfuture macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The back of beyond.	This could have an important outcome. Google and Apple could be powerful allies in the future, I'd prefer that to fierce rivals. __________________ Futuristical bloggery with a twist.

Jul 10, 2009, 10:22 AM
iPhoneNYC macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Nov 2007	Sha-na-na-na, Hey hey, good-bye.

Jul 10, 2009, 10:24 AM
Ksg89 macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2009	IMHO they are very different markets, unless apple are moving into the "notebook" market ^_^

Jul 10, 2009, 10:31 AM
KTut macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2009	Steve takes a seat on Google's board To even things out Steve Jobs should be made a member of Google's board! Then they can both report back about the other...