Google CEO Booted From Apple Board
On August 3, 2009 (today), Apple announced that Dr. Eric Schmidt, the CEO of the internet search monopoly Google, would be resigning from his position on Apple’s Board of Directors.
Steve Jobs, on the other had, had this to say:
“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.”
[via Apple]
What does this mean? Apple spares no one, not even investors. Let’s say that Al Gore decided to develop and create his own line of computers, or music players -Apple would probably have him resign as well.
And Steve, what’s with this “we” mutually deciding that Schmidt would resign. Oh, right, you and the rest of the Board of Directors, probably not including Schmidt.
Any fanboys reading this, shut up. I may be one of the biggest Apple fans in West Michigan, but it doesn’t mean that I’m one of Apple’s thralls. I have my right to an opinion, and my right to speculation as well.
HP replied:
I agree that it was probably more coerced and not so mutual as they make it sound, but it makes sense when you think about it. With Google’s expansion into the OS and Web Browser worlds, keeping him on the board would truly be a conflict of interests. Would you expect them to keep a guy like Steve Ballmer on the board, even had he owned a lot of stock in Apple (that would be a funny scenario, wouldn’t it?)?
August 3, 2009 at 6:01 pm. Permalink.