Apple CEO transition to John Ternus signals hardware-focused future

Apple announced on Monday that John Ternus will take over as CEO later this year, succeeding Tim Cook. Ternus, a longtime hardware executive who joined Apple in 2001, has contributed to products including AirPods, the Apple Watch, and Vision Pro. His appointment signals a renewed focus on hardware at a moment when Apple is under pressure to define its next era. Rather than competing head-on with companies building the biggest AI models, Ternus may push Apple to focus on AI-powered devices. Speculation includes smart glasses, a wearable pendant with a built-in camera, and AirPods with AI features. According to Bloomberg, these products would connect to the iPhone, with Siri playing a major role. Ternus is also expected to advance products that have been stuck in limbo. Foldable iPhones have been rumored for years, and reports say they will arrive in September, which means Ternus will oversee the launch. Apple has also reportedly been exploring robotics for the home, including a tabletop device with a robotic arm attached to a display and mobile robots that could follow users or act as a moving FaceTime screen. Some reports mention experiments with humanoid robots, though those are likely years away. However, ongoing memory chip shortages, President Trump's frequently shifting tariff policies, and reliance on Chinese manufacturing could create challenges ahead. Roughly 80 percent of iPhones were produced in China before the tariffs. The company recently pivoted to India, making about 25 percent of its iPhones there last year, according to Bloomberg.