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"Google CEO Eric Schmidt stepped down today from Apple's Board of Directors, a role that many said created conflicts of interest as Apple and Google rival each other in multiple market sectors.  \nIn particular, Google Android is a direct competitor to Apple's iPhone ecosystem, while the upcoming Chrome OS will create some conflict in the operating system market.  And just last week the FCC began looking into Apple's rejection of the Google Voice app from the App Store.  Schmidt was under increasing pressure to deal with the conflict, and it seems he's made his move today.\nThe news of Schmidt's stepping down was announced via a press release on Apple's website.  It reads:\n\nDr. Eric Schmidt Resigns from Apple\u2019s Board of Directors\nCUPERTINO, California\u2014August 3, 2009\u2014Apple\u00AE today announced that Dr. Eric Schmidt, chief executive officer of Google, is resigning from Apple\u2019s Board of Directors, a position he has held since August 2006.\n\u201CEric has been an excellent Board member for Apple, investing his valuable time, talent, passion and wisdom to help make Apple successful,\u201D said Steve Jobs, Apple\u2019s CEO. \u201CUnfortunately, as Google enters more of Apple\u2019s core businesses, with Android and now Chrome OS, Eric\u2019s 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\u2019s Board.\u201D\nApple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.\n\nImage courtesy Charles Haynes, Wikipedia"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2009/08/03/eric-schmidt-apple/>