Google CEO Erich Schmidt steps down from Apple board

As it turns out, Google's Android operating system hasn't been the handheld challenge to the iPhone that it could have been.

But as the FCC launches an investigation into Apple's banning of the Google Voice application from the App Store, and the upcoming Chrome operating system prepares to go toe to toe with the Mac, Google CEO Eric Schmidt has resigned from Apple's board of directors.

"Eric has been an excellent Board member for Apple, investing his valuable time, talent, passion and wisdom to help make Apple successful,” said Steve Jobs in an official press release.

Schmidt's position on Apple's board of directors has been the cause of some controversy after the Federal Trade Commission recently launched an investigation into possible anti-trust issues, though at that time Schmidt insisted he would not be resigning his position on the board.