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Tim Cook is finally stepping down as Apple\u2019s CEO after 15 years at the helm. On Thursday, his recently named successor, John Ternus, made his first earnings call cameo as the incoming CEO and gave a veiled glimpse into what Apple enthusiasts could expect from his tenure.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have an incredible roadmap ahead, and while you\u2019re not going to get me to talk about the details of that roadmap, suffice it to say, this is the most exciting time in my 25-year career at Apple to be building products and services,\u201d Ternus told investors.<\/p>\n
When asked about his advice for Ternus, Cook said to \u201cnever forget\u201d that Apple users are \u201cthe North Star for the company.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re about making the best products in the world that really enrich other people\u2019s lives. And if you keep focusing on that and make your decisions around that, it will produce a great business, and we\u2019ll be able to build more products and do it all over again,\u201d Cook said on the call. \u201cOur roadmap is incredible, and most importantly, we have the right leader ready to step into the role. As I have said, there is no one on this planet I trust more to lead Apple into the future than John Ternus.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ternus\u2019s term as CEO will begin in September. Though the executives are keeping the product roadmap secret for now, a foldable iPhone is expected, and Apple wants Ternus to be the face people associate with it.<\/p>\n
In his current role, Ternus leads the company\u2019s hardware engineering efforts. The prospect of having a hardware specialist in charge has excited Apple fans who have been unsatisfied with what they claim is a slowdown of innovation in product releases. Cook has been blamed for this lack of revolutionary changes.<\/p>\n
But while he may not have been as innovative as Steve Jobs, Cook oversaw the company\u2019s transition into a trillion-dollar behemoth four times over. On Thursday\u2019s earnings call, Ternus promised to continue Cook\u2019s style of financial leadership.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the hallmarks of Tim\u2019s tenure has been a deep thoughtfulness, deliberateness, and discipline when it comes to the financial decision-making of the company, and I want you to know that is something Kevan and I intend to continue when I transition into the role in September,\u201d Ternus told investors (Kevan being Apple CFO Kevan Parekh).<\/p>\n
Apple is already promoting Ternus\u2019 hardware engineering prowess as a benefit for the company. On the call, Cook shared that the iPhone 17 family, which was spearheaded by Ternus, is currently the most popular product lineup in Apple\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
Products aside, Ternus will also have a lot to answer for on the artificial intelligence side. The tech giant has been taking things slow on AI, while peers like Google and Microsoft soar past with AI innovations. The company has long promised a major leap in AI with an enhanced Siri, but had to push back the release at the very last minute in March 2025. The delay disappointed fans, reportedly caused an internal rift at the company, and even led to federal lawsuits accusing Apple of false advertising. The personalized Siri was expected to arrive early this year, but was reportedly delayed yet again.<\/p>\n
In the call, Cook reiterated that the \u201cmore personalized Siri\u201d would still be revealed later this year.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n