• TechCrunch, Monday, August 3, 2009 1:42 PM

In a move that was long expected, Google CEO Eric Schmidt finally stepped down from Apple's Board of Directors, after nearly 3 years. The resignation comes only a few days after the FCC launched an inquiry into Apple's rejection of Google's Voice application for the iPhone.

In a statement, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said: "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."

Schmidt also responded with the following statement: "I have very much enjoyed my time on the Apple Board. It's a fantastic company. But as Apple explained today we've agreed it makes sense for me to step down now."

Indeed, it's become impossible to argue that Google's foray into mobile and computer operating systems doesn't represent a serious threat to Apple's core businesses. As TechCrunch's Robin Wauters says, the whole Google Voice FCC debacle may have been the straw that broke the camel's back.

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