Tim Cook’s parting message: Apple is in the hands of a product builder

On his final day as CEO, Tim Cook praised his successor, John Ternus, in a memo to Apple employees. Cook emphasized that he would not be leaving the company, but rather transitioning out of the CEO role. He highlighted Ternus' expertise in hardware engineering and Apple's upcoming focus on product development. Ternus has already contributed to notable product launches, including the iPhone Air, MacBook Neo, and hearing health AirPods.

He has also overseen hardware engineering across Apple's entire device lineup. Cook stressed that hardware will be crucial in the AI era, not just for chips but also for the devices used in enterprise AI. The memo did not discuss Apple's future in AI, services, regulation, China, or other challenges, but focused on gratitude for the opportunity to lead and Apple's culture.

Cook expressed his pride in the company's culture and its ability to leave the world better than it found it. He acknowledged the importance of culture and how it helped Apple create a "dent in the universe." Cook will continue to serve as executive chairman and manage external relationships, including with President Trump and the Chinese government. He wished the Apple community well and expressed his gratitude for their support.