The Back Page: One good Ternus

CUPERTINO, Calif. (April 30, 2026) — Tim who?

That’s the prevailing attitude around Apple Park in the wake of last week’s blockbuster announcement that Apple CEO Tim Cook would be stepping down after fifteen years. His replacement is John Ternus, senior vice president of hardware engineering and voted Most Likely to Create Some Rocking Computers by his high school yearbook.

Ternus has already won plaudits from those who have worked closely with him, and by and large Apple employees are excited to see what he does when he takes the top spot this fall.

One thing is clear, though: this won’t be Tim Cook’s Apple. Ternus brings a very different style to the company from a predecessor who seemed at times alternately buttoned-up and buttoned-down. Around the Cupertino campus, the former hardware chief is widely considered buttonless—outgoing and friendly to all his colleagues, greeting them warmly.

“The thing about John is he’s a hugger,” said one person who asked not be named because he doesn’t want the hugs to stop.…