Can John Ternus Find Apple's Next Big Thing?
Bloomberg's chief Apple correspondent Mark Gurman on Siri, Tim Cook's legacy, and what to expect from new CEO John Ternus.
By Nilay Patel
In a wide-ranging conversation with Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the discussion centers on Apple's leadership transition and the challenges ahead. As of 2026, Tim Cook has officially handed the CEO reins to John Ternus, marking a pivotal moment for the company. Gurman offers his insights on the state of Siri, the legacy Cook leaves behind, and what Ternus must do to steer Apple into its next era of innovation.
Siri's Long-Awaited Overhaul
Gurman notes that Siri remains a critical focus area. Under Ternus, Apple is expected to finally deliver a significantly upgraded, AI-driven Siri—years after rivals like Google and Amazon raised the bar. The 2026 release of Apple's generative AI framework, "Apple Intelligence," is seen as a foundational step, but Siri's full transformation is still unfolding.
Tim Cook's Legacy
Cook's tenure is defined by operational excellence, the explosive growth of services, and the successful launch of Apple Silicon and wearables. Yet questions linger about whether Apple missed the boat on generative AI. Gurman argues that Cook's legacy is a double-edged sword: tremendous financial success paired with a perceived lack of breakthrough innovation in recent years.
What to Expect from John Ternus
As the new CEO, Ternus inherits a company at a crossroads. Gurman suggests that Ternus's background in hardware engineering could steer Apple toward more integrated, category-defining products—potentially in health, AR, or even autonomous systems. However, the pressure to find "the next big thing" is immense. The conversation explores whether Ternus will double down on AI, pursue new hardware frontiers, or both.
Listen to the full podcast for the complete discussion, including Gurman's take on Apple's AI strategy and the road ahead for Ternus.
via The Verge AI