Google chief shares kind words on Apple

"This is a personal thing," Schmidt said of his recent appointment to Apple's board of directors. "If you're a director, it's a personal commitment. Apple is an innovator in its own space."

"Apple is engaged in probably the most remarkable second act ever seen in technology," he added. "Its resurgence is simply phenomenal and extremely impressive."

Asked whether he'd like to see more partnering between Google and Apple, Schmidt said, "Well of course, but we're already partnered with them."

Upon joining Apple's board this past August, Schmidt declined 30,000 stock options offered to him as a new director, saying he would instead buy shares on the open market.

According to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Schmidt purchased 10,000 shares of Apple common stock on September 7, at prices between $69.67 and $70.05 a share.

He now owns a total of 11,561 shares in the Cupertino, Calif.-based company.