

The Rise of Apple’s New CEO: A Hardware Expert Takes Over in the AI Era
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.The Mac Mini was sorely in need of an update, and John Ternus hoped he didn’t need to go through design guru Jony Ive.Years ago, before Ternus was tapped to take the helm of one of the world’s biggest and most influential companies, he led Apple’s Mac hardware division. It was one of many stops as he rose through the ranks of the insular company and learned to navigate its curious internal politics.The AI revolution that would make the Mac Mini hugely popular was still years away, yet software developers needed a new version with updated chips.
A new enclosure for the Mini could require work by Ive’s industrial design department that could lead to delays.Ternus ordered the update after determining that the design wouldn’t need a major change, people familiar with the move said. He didn’t dwell on the product’s profit potential, focusing instead on its value to Apple’s overall ecosystem.
It was one of many episodes that showed his decisiveness, keen understanding of Apple’s culture and products, and how to get things done inside the company, the people said.Over his 25 year career at Apple, those characteristics have propelled Ternus all the way to the company’s top job, which he will take over Sept. 1, the company announced Monday, instantly making him one of the highest-profile corporate leaders in the world.
Longtime Apple CEO Tim Cook will become executive chairman.Ternus will follow two corporate legends. Steve Jobs developed the most lucrative product in history, the iPhone.
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