The suggestion Google has made a move for a senior director at Apple was always likely to make headlines, but the pending departure of Simon Prakash brings with it some extra juice.

According to VentureBeat, Prakash – who has served as senior director of product integrity at Apple since October 2005 – has joined Google to work on a secret project, with the soon-to-be acquired Motorola the likely benefactor.

Motorola man

The site alleges Google could be looking to use Prakash's experience at handling the quality of Apple's hardware - from Macs right across to iPhones and iPads - to deliver something for co-founder and secret research and development head Sergey Brin.

The suggestion is, a new Android device or range of devices branded in Motorola's colours could be on the way, though Prakash's switch from Apple to Google could also have other ramifications.

VentureBeat's Dean Takahashi claims Google has previously held off trying to tempt away Apple's top bods because there exists an agreement between the two parties – as well as Pixar, Lucasfilm, Intel and Intuit – designed to prevent executive poaching and, in turn, keep employee compensation fees down.

Prakash's departure could well represent the unceremonious end to that agreement, with the Department of Justice reportedly in the process of investigating any such accord between the six companies.

Both Apple and Google are yet to offer comment.

[source: VentureBeat]