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Chrome OS raises directorship questions
Author: Gareth HalfacreePublished: 9th July 2009
The new Google Chrome operating system might be the straw that breaks Schmidt's back and forces his resignation from Apple.
According to an article by CNet's Tom Krazit, Schmidt's position on Apple's board of directors represents a conflict of interest which can only be resolved with Schmidt leaving one company or the other.
While Google was offering purely web-based functionality – search engines, document collaboration – it made sense that it was able to work hand in hand with Apple, with the two company's offerings complementing each other. After all, a computer offering easy Internet access isn't much good without an easy way of finding content on the web.
The first rumblings of discontent arrived, however, with the launch of Google's Android platform for smartphones – and the T-Mobile G1 which first brought it to market. Now, the two companies were competing in the smartphone market head to head – and Schmidt was still on the board of both companies.
Now the a new battleground has been selected: operating systems. While it's not a direct competition as yet – with Chrome OS being directed at the netbook market which Apple is so disparaging towards – it's becoming increasingly apparent to many in the industry that Schmidt's presence at both companies is, at least, uncomfortable.
It's not just industry watchers who are getting the impression that Schmidt might be playing both sides of the field: back in May the US Federal Trade Commission investigated the ties between both companies – specifically, the shared directorships enjoyed by Eric Schmidt and Arthur Levinson. Now the two companies are clearly in competition, the FTC may rule under a 1914 law – which prevents a person from being on the board of two separate companies with a view to colluding to reduce competition in the marketplace – that Levinson and Schmidt need to resign one or the other posts.
Do you think that Apple and Google are now competing strongly enough for a shared directorship to be questionable, or should Schmidt be left alone to bring his expertise to both companies? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
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I don't think they're REALLY that competitive toward eachother. I think most people looked toward Microsoft rather than Apple.
- Making linux usable for normal people, and
- Providing a properly-organised and well-directed management structure for turning Linux into what we all hope it can be.
This would be great, but it depends heavily on what Google's intentions are.
Why? If google is pitching this as an easy way to get the quick start, user friendly, virus free kinda market, why would that not appeal to possible Apple buyers? Or are they truely that shallow that the brand outweighs the benefits to them?
Thats what I thought at first to.
For me the biggest question is: how much of the knowledge gained in his term on the Apple board has been passed along to this new OS's management and development teams? My guess is going to be "more than google wants to admit and more than apple would normally allow".
I managed to read the whole article, then the forum posts up to yours before realizing :( time for sleep I think.
They still compete. Even if netbooks are not the main threat for Apple it still could persuade an X amount of possible buyers into getting something else. If you're in the market for a new computer, but you don't know much about them, you might be attracted by a Mac due to it's looks, sales pitch or whatever reason; but if along comes a person with a cheaper product that will allow them to do what they need the will go for that.
I know it's not the biggest threat to Apple, but it's still a competitor. Besides, who knows what might become of the Chrome OS in the future. Maybe by 2015 the world will be using it even more than windows...
With what has appeared to me as good business sense by apple by charging premium for everything they brand, I'm super surprised to hear of these two guys working both sides of the table between these companies. I can see both companies prospering off of the colloboration between the two, but with apple's mantra of "Its the business of a business to make money", and google's "do no harm", I don't see how this partnership could keep the net neutral, as I would want it to be.
I'm not one to jump ship at the smell of smoke, but this defiantly makes me weary of the chrome os. Defiantly gonna want to get a lay-mans' breakdown of the fine print on the chrome os eula.
x2...
Apple never comments on upcoming products, and considering how bit netbooks are and their ties to Nvidia and Intel, there is no reason they can't make one and are likely planning one. This would put them in direct competition.
This would put them in direct fire with Google.
http://apple.slashdot.org/story/09/07/13/1229250/What-To-Expect-From-Apples-Rumored-MacPad?art_pos=10