Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, has joined the board of Apple. Now, Steve Jobs will have a hotline into Google’s thinking–useful, since Google, like Apple, is a secretive company.

Signalling the prospect of greater co-operation between the two companies, Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, said Eric Schmidt would play a key part in shaping the company’s future strategy. “Like Apple, Google is very focused on innovation and we think Eric’s insights and experience will be very valuable in helping to guide Apple in the years ahead,” Jobs said. He added that Google CEO Schmidt would help to ensure products from Apple are brought to the market promptly.

Shares in Apple gained 1.7 per cent at $67.59 in morning deals in New York.

More from Times Online Technology …

THREE years after its email service went into a month-long meltdown, Telstra’s BigPond internet division plans to have all its customers on its new email, billing and customer service platform by Christmas, at a cost of $130 million.

The billing system is known as BPI and BigPond has moved about 1 million customers across to it and the rest will be moved across by Christmas.
The project appears to have paid off as BigPond has just had its best ever financial year and biggest, outstripping its competitors and increasing its market share.

The division’s retail broadband revenues were $730 million, up 58 per cent on the previous year, and analysts expect this to top $1 billion this year.

BigPond broadband subscriber numbers increased by 620,000 to 1.48 million, which increased the ISPs retail market share to 44 per cent.

More from Australian IT … 

The Prisoner’s Dilemma is a classic example of games theory, an area of mathematics whose foundations were laid down by John Nash. The Prisoners Dilemma shows that, in certain circumstances, if the members of a group trust each other, they can choose a course of action that will bring them the best possible outcome for the group as a whole. But without trust each individual will aim for his or her best personal outcome - which can lead to the worst possible outcome for all. Try the Open University’s interactive version by clicking here.

The Gallup Brain is a searchable, living record of more than 60 years of public opinion. Here you’ll find answers to more than 125,000 questions, and responses from more than 3.5 million people interviewed by The Gallup Poll since 1935. This unique poll database also houses current Gallup Poll News Service articles that feature the latest in-depth poll analyses and replicas of news stories and press releases linked to the surveys.

Yes they can. Check out what Brand Autopsy has to say about how consumers can create inappropriate messages such as this citizen marketer-generated spot for Starbucks Frappuccino.

While forecast for the economy dips, perceptions of job market hold steady: A new Gallup poll finds Americans’ already gloomy outlook on the economy souring further, with a six-point drop to 22% in the belief that the economy is getting better. This is the lowest level of public confidence in the direction of the economy seen in five years, although it came close to this level last fall.
More at Gallup.com 

The first of the Masterclasses at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre last night was such a fabulous setting–right on the river at sunset in an architectural masterpiece on the 5th floor. So inspiring.

Attendance included senior execs down from Sydney from the CEO’s office of the Commonwealth Bank, and also AustraliaPost execs, execs from Fernwood Womens Health Clubs, Director of Leadership from Melbourne Grammar School, scientists and management from DPI, parents, sportspeople and a range of entrepreneurs etc. Visitors were from Sydney, Hobart and Adelaide.

It was a lot of fun and I really enjoy doing the masterclass format for training Teachers of Thinking (TOT). Those who have participated in two masterclasses are entitled to receive the School of Thinking’s Certificate of Teacher of Thinking (TOT). Several from last night have now qualified.

Reservations are now open for the 26 September masterclass.

Email today  to book your place in these exciting and interactive School of Thinking MasterClasses with Michael Hewitt-Gleeson.

WHEN: The first is on Wednesday 16 August. There will be two more in 2006 on 26 September and again on 21 November. Commencing at 6pm sharp to 8pm close. Reservations only.

WHERE: Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Suite 1, Level 5
2 Clarendon Street, Southbank, Melbourne.

WHAT: “How To Raise The Innovation Intelligence of Your Enterprise”:
A 120-Minute Innovation MasterClass with Michael Hewitt-Gleeson.

WHO: SOT Members & friends; teachers of thinking; scientists; executives and entrepreneurs; others who are interested in raising their innovation intelligence.

FEES: There are no fees. These pro bono events are sponsored by the School of Thinking and the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre to promote Thinking in Melbourne. However, there are only 60 places for each MasterClass and must be limited to ‘first come first served’.

HOW:  Email to reserve your place in these unique events. Say which dates you wish to attend, your full name and organisation. You will receive confirmation by return email. All privacy is respected.

Just go to The Book link on the RH side of the screen–click and download.