Google Chairman Eric Schmidt Says Relationship with Apple 'Improving' - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Google Chairman Eric Schmidt Says Relationship with Apple 'Improving'

eric_schmidt_blueWhile at the annual Allen and Co media conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said the company's relationship with Apple is "improving" and that the two companies have been conducting "lots and lots" of meetings, reports Reuters.

Schmidt did not provide details about the nature of the meetings during comments to reporters at the annual Allen and Co media conference in Sun Valley, Idaho on Thursday. He noted that Google Chief Business Officer Nikesh Arora, who joined him at the press briefing, was leading many of the discussions.

Schmidt did say that the companies are in "constant business discussions on a long list of issues." Last December, the former Google CEO said that the two companies had an "on and off" relationship and that they would work through any issues in "the adult way."

Apple and Google's relationship has been strained in recent years, with constant patent disputes between Apple and Google's Android parters as well as the removal of both Google Maps and YouTube from iOS. The two companies also have taken their rivalry to apps as Google has Safari competitor Chrome in the App Store and has most recently updated its Google Search app with Siri competitor Google Now.

Schmidt had served as an Apple board member while also holding the position of Google CEO, but as the two companies became increasingly direct competitors following Google's launches of Android and Chrome OS, Schmidt stepped down from Apple's board in August 2009.

Popular Stories

apple surprise and shine event

Apple Event Today: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo Cheat Sheet

Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:24 am PDT by
Apple's biggest event of the year is almost here, and all eyes are on Cupertino. With the first foldable iPhone expected to headline Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event on Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, the rumor mill has been running full throttle, fuelled by the biggest single design change in the life of the iPhone. To get you up to speed, here's a quick reference...
All Screen iPhone 2030 Feature Sans Text

iPhone 18 Pro: Nine Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 7, 2026 5:01 am PDT by
Apple is set to unveil new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models on Wednesday, September 9, and the devices are expected to feature a design that's largely similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, with a peppering of enhancements inside. Major changes are not expected until next year, when Apple is expected to introduce a radically redesigned 20th-anniversary iPhone. If you're thinking of...
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro: Release Date and Pre-Orders

Monday September 7, 2026 6:01 pm PDT by
Apple has announced that it will be holding an event on Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, with the company widely expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, its first-ever foldable iPhone Ultra, and more. Now that we know the event date, we can make an educated guess about when iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders will begin, but there is a bit of a wrinkle this year....

Top Rated Comments

172 months ago
While this is good news, I really don't think Schmidt is a good person to be involved in anything.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogifan Avatar
172 months ago
Do we believe anything this guy says? :D
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
172 months ago
Apple hates Google, Google loves Samsung, Samsung hates Apple, Google hates Microsoft, Samsung's OK with Microsoft but cant remember their name so keeps calling it ATIV, and Apple and Microsoft have a love/hate relationship
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
172 months ago
Do we believe anything this guy says? :D

I don't trust Eric.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gotluck Avatar
172 months ago
Good, Google Services + iPhone = Best
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
172 months ago


Sad to say, but the guy was an *******.

So what does that make Schmidt, then? Or yourself, even? :)
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)