Apple Board of Directors to Meet Next Tuesday to Discuss Schmidt's Replacement

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple's Board of Directors will meet next Tuesday to discuss possible replacements for Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who recently resigned due to increasing areas of competition between Apple and Google.

Whoever Apple elects as a director will be closely watched. The current board has been criticized by investors and corporate governance experts for its lack of independence from Mr. Jobs.

One person close to Apple has said in the past that Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook may be appointed to the board in the not-too-distant future. It's unclear whether directors will consider a board seat for Mr. Cook at next Tuesday's session.

Cook has been widely praised for his handling of Apple's day-to-day operations during Steve Jobs' medical leave of absence for the first half of this year and has been viewed as a possible successor to Jobs when the Apple founder officially steps down as CEO.