{
  "id": 4873296,
  "title": "John Ternus starts his first day as Apple CEO with a foldable iPhone on deck and a long list of problems to solve",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/john-ternus-starts-his-first-day-as-apple-ceo-with-a-foldable-iphone",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-01T14:01:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechSpot",
    "slug": "techspot",
    "url": "https://www.techspot.com/news/113693-john-ternus-starts-first-day-apple-ceo-foldable.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Apple CEO John Ternus begins his first day on September 1 with a foldable iPhone in the pipeline and a laundry list of challenges to tackle. The tech giant is set to unveil a voice-activated smart display and an enhanced Siri platform as key components of its artificial intelligence strategy. Ternus, who joins Apple from its hardware division, is seen as a capable leader who can bridge the gap between high-level product planning and the intricate technical aspects of devices, a trait highlighted by outgoing CEO Tim Cook during his announcement of Ternus' succession.\n\nHowever, Ternus faces a multitude of hurdles beyond product development. The company is grappling with a memory shortage, pressure on App Store revenue, employee departures, and an AI initiative that has yet to catch up with competitors. As he navigates these issues alongside Cook, who retains the title of executive chairman, the measure of Ternus' authority will be put to the test. Ternus' path to establishing his leadership will hinge on his ability to steer Apple through these obstacles and ensure the successful rollout of its AI-focused products.\n\nTernus comes to Apple from the hardware team at a pivotal time, as the company attempts to transition AI from a software catch-up endeavor to a core aspect of device strategy. The rollout encompasses various settings, such as the home, wearable devices through planned camera-equipped AirPods and smart glasses, and internal systems used by Apple's engineering teams. The foldable iPhone, expected to be one of the most closely monitored products in the upcoming release, represents a multiyear evolution of Apple's flagship device, following the last year's thinner Air model and preceding a glass-focused iPhone slated for the 20th anniversary of the product line in 2027.\n\nDespite persistent speculation about the eventual displacement of phones by glasses or other AI hardware, Ternus maintains that the iPhone will remain central to customers' lives and Apple's product strategy. This stance informs Apple's more measured approach to mixed reality, with the Vision Pro experiencing commercial struggles. Ternus expressed concerns about the Vision Pro's weight and price, questioning whether it could become a mass-market product. The company has already shed jobs associated with Vision Pro work, particularly in gaming and immersive video content, while also trimming roles in areas like security, audio engineering, Siri integration, testing, and the shared operating system for future glasses. However, Apple remains committed to introducing non-augmented-reality smart glasses, code-named N50, later this year. Ternus remains open to scaling back Apple's involvement in head-worn computing if the category fails to gain traction, which could have implications for the future of the updated Vision Pro, code-named N224, potentially released as early as late 2028.\n\nThe overarching challenge for Apple lies in AI. Its rollout of Apple Intelligence has been inconsistent, and the company has restructured leadership for both AI work and Siri. To keep pace with rivals, Apple has rebuilt the models behind Siri using Google's Gemini technology, a move that has unsettled members of Apple's large language model group and led to departures, including the unit's leader. Apple aims to deploy Siri AI comprehensively by September, with the goal of competing directly with ChatGPT and generating revenue through paid access or integrations with third-party apps. To achieve this, Siri must overcome its reputation for unreliable performance and limited usefulness. Early reviews of the new AI-enabled Siri have been favorable. Ternus has also championed AI as an engineering tool, introducing an internal platform aimed at accelerating product development, enhancing testing, and bolstering device reliability. Ternus expressed confidence during an all-hands meeting, stating, \"We're going to be able to solve even harder problems,\" and emphasizing AI as a means to apply lessons learned from previous products to current development efforts. Many of the devices on Apple's roadmap rely on advancements in AI. The company's delays in launching camera-equipped AirPods and the flagship home display can be attributed to shortcomings in AI features. Additionally, Apple is developing a home security product, a robotic-arm display, and a wearable camera pendant. Products like the AirPods cameras and home-security cameras would transmit data to AI systems for environmental analysis, a strategy designed to mitigate privacy concerns, which aligns with Apple's longstanding emphasis on privacy. As AI-powered devices proliferate, incorporating cameras, microphones, and sensors into homes and wearable items, Apple must convince consumers that AI-enabled awareness can be beneficial without compromising privacy. Ternus inherits numerous challenges that extend beyond product development. Apple is currently facing a memory shortage and rising component costs, areas where Cook built much of his reputation. Ternus is expected to collaborate with Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan, finance chief Kevan Parekh, procurement teams, and operations leadership to manage supply constraints and minimize disruptions. Services are under pressure due to weaker game purchases, regulatory changes to App Store fees, and the European Union's mandate for Apple to permit independent app stores. Furthermore, Apple has experienced a loss of hardware talent to competitors offering higher compensation and opportunities for developing new products from scratch. Hundreds of former Apple employees now work in OpenAI's hardware division, a claim Apple has contested in a lawsuit, alleging the transfer of trade secrets. CEO Tim Cook, who led Apple from 2011, will continue as executive chairman, focusing on relationships with the Trump administration and the Chinese government. In a message to employees, Cook affirmed, \"there\"",
  "summary": "Ternus is regarded inside Apple as a leader who can move between broad product planning and the technical details of a device, a skill Tim Cook highlighted when he announced the succession. His test now is whether he can apply that hardware focus to a company facing more than product... Read Entire Article",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "9to5Mac",
        "title": "Here’s the likely reason the iPhone Ultra isn’t getting an Apple Pencil",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/heres-the-likely-reason-the-iphone-ultra-isnt-getting-an-apple-pencil",
        "published": "2026-08-31T11:06:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Mashable",
        "title": "The Galaxy S27 Ultra might look like an Apple iPhone",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/the-galaxy-s27-ultra-might-look-like-an-apple-iphone",
        "published": "2026-08-31T11:59:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tom's Guide",
        "title": "Last-minute iPhone Ultra report shoots down Apple Pencil — but this is how it could have worked",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/last-minute-iphone-ultra-report-shoots-down-apple-pencil-but-this-is",
        "published": "2026-08-31T12:44:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Android Authority",
        "title": "Apple’s first folding iPhone won’t kill Android foldables — it will save them",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/apples-first-folding-iphone-wont-kill-android-foldables-it-will-save",
        "published": "2026-09-01T09:00:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "iPhone 18: Pro, Pro Max and Fold launch in days — why the 2027 standard model could be Apple’s real ace",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/iphone-18-pro-pro-max-and-fold-launch-in-days-why-the-2027-standard",
        "published": "2026-09-01T10:52:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}