Google CEO, Eric Schmidt (more info) has resigned from Apple’s Board of Directors. Steve Jobs (more info)said in a press release

“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.”

This has come as no surprise after the way events have been unfolding for the past 1 month – Google Chrome OS then Apple rejecting Google Apps then FCC’s enquiry in to the matter. I am wondering what Steve must have said to Eric, in a typical Godfather style “This is not personal Eric, strictly business, I always loved you”. Finally both Google and Apple have found some one more evil than M$ – each other.

The era of “Google Vs Apple” has begun. What next? Google Maps?

Follow-Up

TechCrunch : Google CEO Eric Schmidt Resigns From Apple Board. Surprised? by Robin Wauters

CNET NEWS : CNET News Daily Podcast: Eric Schmidt leaves Apple board by Rafe Needleman

GIGAOM : Google CEO Eric Schmidt Resigns From Apple Board by Om Malik

L.A. Times Tech Blog : Eric Schmidt resigns from Apple board, citing multiple conflicts by Alex Pham

BBC : Google and Apple not off the hook by Maggie Shiels

Time : Why Google’s Eric Schmidt Resigned from Apple’s Board by Josh Quittner

TechCrunch : Why Schmidt Had To Go by Erick Schonfeld