American engineer and executive, Apple’s hardware chief since 2021; set to become CEO in 2026
Tim Cook has announced he will step down as Apple CEO and become executive chairman on Sept. 1, 2026, and John Ternus, the company’s head of hardware engineering, has been named CEO-designate. The move has been presented as a planned succession while Apple is confronting AI shortfalls, China supply risks, and pressure to produce a new product wave.
Apple has unveiled Siri AI and expanded Apple Intelligence at WWDC, promising a conversational assistant that uses personal device data and Google-powered foundation models. The company has said Siri AI will enter beta this summer with a public fall release, but regulators in the EU and China will delay availability there. Apple has emphasised privacy and private cloud compute in its rollout.
Apple has showcased a revamp of Siri and Apple Intelligence, with a focus on AI integration across devices. Tim Cook has outlined leadership in consumer AI as developers and partners prepare for broader app support and monetization strategies.
Apple is accelerating plans for a foldable iPhone Ultra, with a 5.5-inch outer display and 7.8-inch inner panel. Production has been raised, and analysts warn pre-orders may sell out quickly as supply tightens; it could be the most expensive iPhone yet, with a price around $2,300–$2,500. Uncertainty remains on release timing due to inventory constraints.