Cook, who turns 65 next month, is apparently preparing to trade his CEO crown for a comfy chair as board chairman, because even emperors of Cupertino must eventually retreat to their vineyards.
The Economic Times reports that chief operating officer John Williams, once seen as Cook’s natural successor, has quietly packed up his sceptre and passed the day-to-day operations to Sabih Khan. Meanwhile, retail monarch Deirdre O’Brien keeps the Apple Stores glimmering in white light and smugness. But the courtiers now agree that Ternus is the one being groomed for the big chair and executive drinks cabinet.
At 50, Ternus is exactly the same age as Cook was when Saint Tim took the reins from Steve Jobs in 2011. Cook’s succession was a carefully choreographed affair, wrapped in corporate reverence and presented as the continuation of Jobs’ “vision.” In reality, it marked the start of Apple’s transformation from making a fortune stealing other people's ideas into the world’s most efficient profit factory. Cook turned Apple into a logistics and finance powerhouse rather than a product revolution machine.
Gurman notes that the company needs a “technologist rather than a salesman” at the helm, which might be Bloomberg-speak for “someone who can ship something new before the faithful start noticing the sameness.”
Despite Job’s Mob’s valiant efforts to present each iPhone launch as an epoch-defining event, the sparkle has dulled. The homegrown chip programme continues to delivers silicon, and the iPhone 17 lineup keeps tills ringing, but Apple’s so-called next big things have largely fizzled.
Mixed reality has failed to take hold, its generative AI push trails behind every half-competent chatbot, and the smart home and car projects remain the stuff of rumours and internal reshuffles. The company that claimed to sell dreams sells ever-thinner rectangles to people afraid of green bubbles.
Ternus did enjoy his moment in the spotlight during September’s hardware event, unveiling the iPhone 17 Air, described as the first major design overhaul in years. In Apple’s world, that means “we shaved a few millimetres and moved a button.” Over time, Ternus has expanded his influence, making calls on product direction, features and long-term strategy. Gurman says he is now steering the broader vision, which probably means deciding how many pastel colours the next iPad should come in.
The Apple board seems more interested in continuity than creativity. The last thing the cult wants is another visionary with ideas that could disrupt its immaculate margins. Cook’s reign has been one of stability, massive profits and steady shareholder worship.
Ternus is an engineer with a spotless corporate record appears tailor-made to continue the dynasty without rocking the golden boat.