The growing rift between Apple Inc and Google Inc. has finally shown its effects in the board room as well. Today, Eric Schmidt, the current CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Google resigned from the Board of Directors, due to the growing animosity between the two companies. The resignation is effective immediately, thereby cutting all diplomatic ties between the two companies.

One of the primary reasons for Mr. Schmidt’s resignation from Apple’s board of directors is the fact that, in the month of May this year, the U.S Department of Justice was going to begin an anti-trust investigation, based on the sharing of board of directors positions in both the companies.

According to a statement given to Steve Jobs (CEO, Apple),

“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.”

Google, in recent times has taken Apple head in terms of mobile phone, computing operating systems and web browsers, thus sparking a heated debate as to whether or not such close association with a rival company is in the best of the interests of Google and Apple. Questions had also been raised to the fact that, Apple was getting a share of revenues every time a search was made via the Google search engine on Apple’s Safari web browser. Another potential reason for Mr. Schimdt’s resignation has been attributed to the recent decision by Apple to withdraw Google Voice application from the Apple Apps Store.

Via The Guardian & Apple.