WASHINGTON : The transition, set to take effect on September 1, marks the end of an influential chapter for Cook, who has led Apple since 2011 following the resignation of co-founder Steve Jobs. During his tenure, Cook transformed Apple into a $4 trillion powerhouse, overseeing an extraordinary rise in market value of more than $3.6 trillion.
In a statement, Cook described his time at the helm as “the greatest privilege of my life.” While stepping down as CEO, the 65-year-old will continue to play a key role in the company as executive chairman, ensuring continuity in leadership.
Cook’s era was defined by operational excellence and strategic expansion. Having joined Apple in 1998, he initially built his reputation by streamlining the company’s global supply chain. As CEO, he broadened Apple’s ecosystem beyond the iPhone, strengthening its services division and launching successful products such as AirPods and the Apple Watch. Under his leadership, Apple also became the first publicly traded company to surpass a $1 trillion valuation, eventually climbing to $4 trillion.
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However, his tenure was not without criticism. While widely praised for scaling the business and maximizing efficiency, some analysts noted the absence of a breakthrough product on the scale of the iPhone during his leadership.
Taking over is 50-year-old John Ternus, a seasoned insider who has spent 25 years at Apple. Currently serving as senior vice-president of hardware engineering, Ternus has played a central role in developing flagship products including the iPhone, Mac lineup, and newer innovations like the Vision Pro headset. His appointment signals a possible strategic pivot, with expectations that Apple will place renewed emphasis on hardware-driven innovation.
The leadership change comes at a crucial time for Apple, as the company faces increasing pressure in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence space. Rivals such as Google and OpenAI have accelerated advancements, prompting Apple to explore external partnerships and integrate advanced AI capabilities into its ecosystem.
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