Apple CEO Tim Cook to Step Down, John Ternus to Lead as Company Eyes AI and Wearables Future

Tim Cook has confirmed that he will step down as Apple’s chief executive at the age of 65, marking the end of a 15-year tenure that transformed the company into a $4 trillion enterprise. Cook’s successor, John Ternus, currently Apple’s Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, has played a key role in major developments including the transition to Apple Silicon and the launch of products such as the iPad, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro. The leadership change signals a new phase for Apple, with a focus on artificial intelligence, wearables, and hardware-software integration.

Technology journalist Will Guyatt joined Steven Scott on Double Tap Mainstream to talk about Cook’s departure, which follows years of speculation about succession.

Will explained that John Ternus brings more than 25 years of experience at Apple, having led development on the company’s most significant hardware projects. Ternus was instrumental in Apple’s shift from Intel processors to its in-house Apple Silicon chips, a move widely regarded as one of Cook’s defining achievements.

Apple’s focus under Ternus is expected to advance existing strategies rather than pivot dramatically. Will explained that upcoming updates to iOS will allow third-party AI chatbots to integrate with Apple devices, creating new revenue streams and reinforcing the company’s ecosystem. Wearable technology and health monitoring remain strategic priorities, while the high-cost Vision Pro is likely to evolve toward more accessible consumer products, such as lightweight smart glasses.

Cook’s tenure has also been marked by environmental initiatives, including device recycling programmes and significant reductions in the company’s carbon footprint, a legacy Ternus is expected to continue.