“It was long overdue: Eric Schmidt (Google’s CEO) finally resigned from Apple’s Board of Directors. Usually, these resignations are handled in the smoothest of ways: Thanks for the distinguished service and the like. This time, Steve Jobs issued a pointed statement: ‘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,'” Jean-Louis Gassée and Frederic Filloux report for CBSNews.com.
“The first thing to notice is ‘more.’ Indeed, the reason we all think Eric Schmidt’s resignation was overdue is two years old, almost: it’s called Android, Google’s smartphone OS, directly competing with Apple’s iPhone OS. In 2007, it isn’t clear yet that smartphones are the next PC, only bigger, the iPhone just starts shipping. But, a year later, in 2008, the competitive picture is now sharply drawn. Android is the most dangerous competitor for the most important component of Apple’s present and future profit streams, the iPhone ecosystem,” Gassée and Filloux write. “So, what is the ‘more’ that broke the cross-directorship? Without a doubt: Google’s Chrome OS, with a strong dash of Google Apps.”
Gassée and Filloux write, “A new Microsoft attacking both iPhones and Macs. And, unlike Microsoft, with free software. That’s what Apple sees in Google.”
Much more in the full article – recommended – here.
a couple of other related topics that may skew the Apple-Google competition: Android is open source and free. Google has no obligation to tune the hardware-software harmony that Apple does. Google’s OS has to flex to a variety of hardware configurations and manufacturers. Good luck with that, regardless of how deep their pockets and programming bench are. Apple ostensibly has patents on a bunch of interface and OS things that look quite similar to Android’s interface. Let the IP/patent wars begin.
This should be interesting. Certainly good for the consumer.
dd
Microsoft is on the decline. And they’re slow and stupid. There will come a day when you wish they were still Apple’s top competitor.
Android and Windows Mobile are the perfect case studies to analyze and see the bigger threat to Apple. When Steve Jobs spoke of being five years ahead of the smartphone competition, he was talking about WinMo and he was dead right. It’s 2009 and MS still hasn’t gotten their act together. But he didn’t see Android coming and Google is knocking on Cupertino’s door TODAY!
Next I see exactly what jocknerd does, and that’s Google stepping in with an “open” platform alternative to the iTab. Microsoft will be caught with their pants down but Google is preparing for the tablet revolution as we speak.
iPhone / iPod touch / iTab. These products are the future of Apple and Google is declaring war on all of them.
All I can say to those cheering the dissolution of the informal alliance between Google and Apple is, what would you replace the free Maps application with? Does Mapquest even come close to the power options available in Google Maps?
PS: Mapquest 4 Mobile is instantly useless for directions outside the USA since there’s not setting to show distances in kilometers instead of miles. Haven’t explored enough to find its other limitations, but they also have no public transit or pedestrian walking modes.
“Who is he to talk? The company was going out of business when he was there.”
Try again.
Gassee was head of the Macintosh division from the time Jobs left in 1985. After that, Apple saw explosive growth and marketshare. Frankly. it was after Gassee left in 1990 that Apple started going downhill.
Chrome Plated Androids or whatever
Not sure how any of that is competition
What “thing” will they run on ?
BC
The biggest news item here isn’t anything to do with Apple or Google but that Gassée is now reporting “news!”
Well, perhaps he should have been doing that from Day 1, instead of trying to actually do tech.
Because Gassée had a say in this article, I will completely ignore it, meaning there are no Apple or Google wars. Heck, I knew this already but the title caught my eye. And Gassée explains it! Noteworthy also that he’s now living in Paris! I guess he went back to being a farmer amongst VCs.
You are overreacting: as if Android was so good.
And it is not beloved by many…
Android = Linux = The Same Popular Appeal of an Anti-Social Nerd = None At All
Really think that Jobs and most Apple’s top executives haven’t done their math when allowing Eric to stay on their board? Come on? And yes, the war-gene has so much born into the mind of the US-cultured mind, that people now talk less about their ‘dream’ for whatever (for better pls) it may come before us. Pathetic us.
I regret he left.. I don’t know what “War” you guys are talking about.. sounds like overreacting.. Google is an awesome software company and I hope this does not influence their choice of supported platforms.