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Google CEO Leaves Apple Board

Once-friendly companies on the brink of war

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 3, 2009 10:07 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Google CEO Eric Schmidt has left Apple’s board of directors because the once-friendly companies are on a collision course, Apple announced today. “As Google enters more of Apple’s core business, with Android and now Chrome OS, Eric’s effectiveness as an Apple Board member will be significantly diminished,” read the statement. Translation? “A bloody conflict between the two companies is mounting,” writes Douglas McIntyre of 24/7 Wall St.

With Android and the Chrome OS, Google is encroaching on Apple’s hardware-powering turf. Until now, Schmidt’s presence on Apple’s board had maintained peace between the companies, but now Google vs. Apple could become just as intense a rivalry as either company has with Microsoft.

Eric Schmidt, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Google is seen during the Cannes Lions 2009, 56th International Advertising Festival in Cannes, southern France, June 26, 2009.
Eric Schmidt, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Google is seen during the Cannes Lions 2009, 56th International Advertising Festival in Cannes, southern France, June 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
In this Oct. 14, 2008 file photo, Apple CEO Steve Jobs smiles during a product announcement at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, Calif.
In this Oct. 14, 2008 file photo, Apple CEO Steve Jobs smiles during a product announcement at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, Calif.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)
In this Jan. 12, 2009 file photo, Google CEO Eric Schmidt speaks during a discussion panel in Stanford, Calif.
In this Jan. 12, 2009 file photo, Google CEO Eric Schmidt speaks during a discussion panel in Stanford, Calif.   (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, file)
Eric Schmidt, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Google is seen during the Cannes Lions 2009, 56th International Advertising Festival in Cannes, southern France, June 26, 2009.
Eric Schmidt, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Google is seen during the Cannes Lions 2009, 56th International Advertising Festival in Cannes, southern France, June 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
In this April 17, 2007 file photo, exhibitors work on laptop computers in front of an illuminated sign of the Google logo at the industrial fair Hannover Messe in Hanover, Germany.
In this April 17, 2007 file photo, exhibitors work on laptop computers in front of an illuminated sign of the Google logo at the industrial fair Hannover Messe in Hanover, Germany.   (AP Photo/Jens Meyer, file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
chas_m
Aug 3, 2009 9:49 AM CDT
Again, this story is full of BS. The two companies continue to be very friendly; there's no "war" coming, unless you count Apple + Google vs. MS. Fire up your copy of iPhoto and see if the mapping functions have disappeared. Or download one of the TWELVE iPhone apps made by Google.

 
Google • Microsoft • Apple • rivalry • feud • Eric Schmidt • Google Android • Google Chrome OS

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