A popular topic of discussion lately in every corner of the Web has been Eric Schmidt’s position on Apple’s Board of Directors and the many possible conflicts it now presents. While opinions have varied, most take the stance that Google’s business has begun to overlap with Apple’s in too many key areas and as such, Schmidt’s role with the company is no longer appropriate. Well, the debate is over. Apparently, Google’s CEO and the Cupertino crew finally came to their senses. Steve “Thanks for Picking Our Brains and then Trying to Eat Our Lunch” Jobs had this to say:
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.
So long Dr. S, you will be missed — unless Chrome OS somehow manages to beat the odds and outreach OS X’s market share at some point down the road. Then we imagine pretty much no one at Apple will miss you.
