Jobs and Schmidt, whose companies have just ended their love affair, were spotted minutes ago talking business at Calafia in the Town and Country shopping center in Palo Alto. Update: That's not an iPad. And body language analysis, here.



Our tipster saw em and snapped these shots, and noted that the cafe is owned and operated by former Google chef Charlie Ayers. Overheard from the conversation were two lines by Jobs. Enthusiastically, "They're going to see it all eventually so who cares how they get it." Which seemed to be about web content, said the tipster. And, "Let's go discuss this somewhere more private," after they noticed the crowd gathering around. I think that was probably a wise move. Schmidt was very quiet, listening, and Jobs was doing a lot of the talking. What do you make of the body language? And what's that black thing on the table? Update: No, it's not an iPad. It's a menu. Tipster says the first thing he looked for was an iPad, and that isn't it.

The fact they'd meet in a neutral place like this implies, although does not prove, they chose a public place for its neutrality. Or they just wanted coffee and inevitably started talking shop, albeit in public. But since when do billionaires have to step out for coffee? The only thing that adds up is that neither felt comfortable meeting at each other's HQs, and this is the start of talks that will inevitably be tense for both sides.

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I'd assume the coffee was not poisoned. And that they did not go somewhere to wrestle. [Thanks Tipster Z. Kudos on asking Jobs if he wanted to comment for Gizmodo, too, even if his reply was a smile and "No thanks."]

Update: The body language analysis turned out interesting. Lots of journalists believe the meeting was planned for press reasons. I think it could go either way.