Apple announced on Monday, April 20, that John Ternus, its longtime hardware chief, will become the new CEO, with Tim Cook transitioning to executive chairman. The leadership change occurs as the company gears up for industry shifts driven by artificial intelligence. Ternus, aged 50, has played a key role in revitalizing products like the Mac computers.
John Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001, has boosted Mac market share against PCs and contributed to products like iPads and AirPods. He recently unveiled the iPhone Air last autumn, the biggest iPhone overhaul since 2017.
Ternus now faces challenges from Nvidia's push into PCs and Meta's augmented-reality glasses, while integrating AI into the iPhone lineup. Apple earlier struck a deal with Alphabet to use Google's Gemini for improving Siri.
"The promotion of Mr. Ternus indicates the company will focus on new hardware devices such as folding phones, glasses, VR devices and AI pins," said Gil Luria, managing director of D.A. Davidson & Co. Bob O’Donnell of TECHnalysis Research noted that Ternus's biggest challenge will be developing a stronger, in-house AI offering.
Tim Cook, CEO since 2011, has seen Apple's stock rise twenty-fold. He will continue engaging policymakers as executive chairman. Separately, Johny Srouji has been named chief hardware officer.
