UPDATE 1-Google CEO says will discuss Apple board role

* Schmidt will talk to Apple about recusing himself

* Schmidt was kept informed about Jobs' medical leave

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By Yinka Adegoke

SUN VALLEY, Idaho, July 9 (Reuters) - Google Inc (GOOG.O) Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said he will discuss with Apple Inc (AAPL.O) how his role on its board might change after Google's move to launch a new operating system.

Because Google's new Chrome OS would compete with Apple's own computer software, Schmidt said on Thursday he would talk to the Mac computer maker about whether he should recuse himself from Apple's board.

"I'll talk to the Apple people. At the moment, there's no issue," Schmidt told reporters at a Sun Valley media and technology conference organized by boutique investment bank Allen & Co.

While Google and Apple compete directly or indirectly in a number of areas -- the most obvious being the smartphone market -- Google's announcement this week that it will launch an operating system raised more questions about the relationship between their boards. [ID:nL8468341]

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is currently looking into whether the ties between the boards violate antitrust laws. Schmidt and former Genentech CEO Arthur Levinson are directors of both companies.