Eric Schmidt, Google’s executive chairman talked with AllThingsD last night. Of course, a few (rather predictable) topics arose. Maps, Apple, and Android were the main discussion points, and Schmidt had some thoughts on the ever present Android versus Apple situation, which is, in his eyes, “the defining fight in the industry today.”

Here is Schmidt on the Apple Maps situation:

“The Android-Apple platform fight is the defining contest. Here’s why: Apple has thousands of developers building for it. Google’s platform, Android, is even larger. Four times more Android phones than Apple phones. 500 million phones already in use. Doing 1.3 million activations a day. We’ll be at 1 billion mobile devices in a year.”

Here’s an extract from the conversation, in which Schmidt continues to tell his thoughts on the Maps situation:

“Schmidt: “Apple decided a long time ago to do their own maps … [now they've] discovered that maps are really hard. Apple has done very well using our maps”

Swisher: What argument could you make to Apple to keep your maps?

Schmidt: They’re better maps.

Mossberg: Are you going to make your own iOS map?

Schmidt: Don’t want to pre-announce products, but if we made one, they would have to approve it. … They haven’t approved all of our apps in the past. (Schmidt allows that the two companies are always in communication.) There’s always negotiations going on.”

If you want to see the whole 1 hour 13 minute video, check it out below, it’s pretty interesting, if you have the time.

Via: 9to5Mac