Google, Apple CEOs Holding Secret Peace Talks?

While the smartphone patent wars rage on, the CEOs of Apple and Google have been quietly communicating with each other in an attempt to resolve a range of intellectual property issues, sources tell Reuters. Apple's Tim Cook and Google's Larry Page had a phone conversation last week and may have another planned for sometime in the next few weeks; lower-level execs are also holding talks. What's the desired outcome? A "truce," potentially, reports Reuters, one that would put an end to the disputes over Android's features and functions —though it remains to be seen whether such a truce would be all-encompassing or just apply to a limited set of patent issues.

"You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind's blowing," write Charles Cooper and Roger Cheng at CNET, saying Apple's big win last week will likely embolden it to ratchet up the pressure on its competitors. "Theoretically they could hold Google responsible for all of the harm that Android allegedly causes to Apple," says one legal analyst, "but it's a much more difficult story to tell to a judge and, especially, a jury." For the moment, though, insiders say no agreement is imminent. (More Tim Cook stories.)