Google's Schmidt praises iPhone, talks Android

Google CEO Eric Schmidt sees future industry growth in the mobile phone sector, and concedes the “iPhone showed what you can do with a very powerful browser.”

Speaking to BusinessWeek, he focuses strongly on the opportunity his company sees in the mobile sector, promising a new generation of ‘Android’ OS phones will debut in the autumn. And while the iPhone leads the pack now, the former Apple board member appears confident Android will take a slice of smartphone action.

“A next generation of [Android-based] phones will be coming out in the fall,” he said. “They won't necessarily displace other [phones] because they're also doing well. But we will have a significant bet in mobile phones. So from our perspective it looks like Android is going to be a success.”

These Android answers emerge alongside new information on Schmidt’s and time with the Apple board.

Apple’s own regulatory filings reveal that Schmidt took no pay for his time on Apple’s board, but he did accept $8,700 of Apple gear and a $7,500 commemorative gift.

Apple's directors are allowed to receive one of each new product the company introduces, free, plus the right to buy more at a discount.

Like Steve Jobs at Apple, at Google Schmidt takes just one dollar in salary each year and hasn’t taken any stock options offered to him.

Customarily, Apple pays directors an annual $50,000 fee, as well as offering board members the opportunity to invest in Apple stock. Schmidt took neither, buying his Apple shares himself on the open market.