Speaking at the 2011 LeWeb technology conference held in Paris this week, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt ruminated on the company's latest software, the increasing popularity of mobile platforms and how technology can help curb global atrocities (seriously). The talkative exec also made a big prediction about Google TV, and discussed how Android is leading the iPhone.
When LeWeb mastermind and interviewer Loïc Le Meur mentioned how Apple's popular smart phone has "taken a leap," Schmidt derisively quipped back, "what kind of leap?"
"I actually say that Android is ahead of the iPhone now [in terms of] unit volume, with ICS features, price is lower, more vendors, lower price points," said Schmidt, asking if he needed to continue. And then he continued, adding a final shot: "It's free."
"So, Android is not inspired by the iPhone," asked Le Meur to the audience's laughter.
"Android was actually founded before the iPhone was," answered Schmidt. "Use your favorite search engine, do the history. I'm sure Bing will tell you this answer."
The playful interchange followed Schmidt's claim that soon there will be some 6 billion mobile phones in use around the world, with most being smart phones. Google clearly hopes to have its software in as many of those as possible.
Google TV was another hot topic for discussion - one Schmidt tackled with what can either be described as confident bravado or baseless optimism.
"We took Chrome and Android, and combined them, and stuck them inside a television. And it looks like it's working," he said. "We've just released version two, and by the summer of 2012, the majority of the televisions that you see in stores will have Google TV embedded in it."
Over the summer Schmidt called Google TV's launch "a beta version," and though it wasn't the "huge success" the company was hoping for, Google wasn't giving up. A European version is planned for early 2012.
When Le Meur broached the possibility of Google actually buying a TV manufacturer (a la its August acquisition of Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion), Schmidt retorted that while the idea was never discussed by the company, "you never know."
The full interview with Eric Schmidt can be seen here. (via TechCrunch)
