But, bear in mind that the iPhone was only ANNOUNCED in 2007, not developed - in fact rumors of an iPad-like device (the basis of the iPhone interface) were circulating for almost a decade prior to the iPhone's announcement. During that time, Schmidt was on the board of Apple, and was certainly in a position to benefit from knowledge of Apple's mobile strategy.
So in short, it is plausible and likely that Apple began working on a touch screen phone years before Google even considered purchasing Android.
And correct me if I'm wrong but, weren't the early models of Google's phone based on a blackberry-like design with a half screen / half keyboard front? And wasn't it not until Apple unveiled the iPhone that Android began to take on its present form?
So in short, it is plausible and likely that Apple began working on a touch screen phone years before Google even considered purchasing Android.
And correct me if I'm wrong but, weren't the early models of Google's phone based on a blackberry-like design with a half screen / half keyboard front? And wasn't it not until Apple unveiled the iPhone that Android began to take on its present form?