Apple’s Cook Says He’s ‘Healthy’; Ternus Promises AI Products
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Apple CEO Tim Cook told employees that he's healthy and plans to be executive chairman for a "long time." Photo by David Paul Morris /Photographer: David Paul Morris/Article content(Bloomberg) — Apple Inc.’s Tim Cook, who’s stepping down as chief executive officer later this year, told employees on Tuesday that he is “healthy” and plans to serve as executive chairman for a long time.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentCook made the comments in an all-hands meeting with staff, following the announcement that he will pass the reins to hardware chief John Ternus on Sept. 1. The two executives held the gathering in the Steve Jobs Theater at the company’s headquarters, with the discussion spanning artificial intelligence, product plans and design.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle content“I’m excited to continue my journey at Apple as executive chairman,” said Cook, 65. “I am healthy. My energy is high, and I plan to be in this new role for a long time.”Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentThe remarks suggest Cook is trying to tamp down speculation over why he’s relinquishing the role. Though Ternus has been seen as the heir apparent for years, Cook hadn’t previously suggested he was close to retiring as CEO.Article content“I’ll be here to support John in any way he needs and in any way I can,” Cook said during the meeting. “I’ll be here to offer my knowledge and experience and be a sounding board anytime I’m called upon. Apple will be my top priority. It’s who I am at my core, and I can’t imagine it any other way.”Article contentStill, he said “there can only be one CEO at a time.” Taking the executive chairman job — a new role for Cook — will allow him to focus on strengthening Apple’s relations globally.Article content“This is an area where we’ve built relationships over multiple years and a decade-plus, and I think I can help with that,” he said. “And I’ll probably help on some other things,” he said.Article contentAfter making prepared remarks, Cook was asked why he decided now is the time to step down. He said he desired the “best-ever transition,” which means that the “business had to be doing great,” the “product road map to be incredible” and for Ternus to be “ready for the role.” Article contentArticle contentCook noted that the company has an “incredible” product pipeline and that it reported its best-ever quarter during the most recent holiday period. “These three things all intersected and they intersect now,” Cook said. “And so now was the time.” Article contentHe said he wanted the transition to be “a textbook succession plan, the best in the world. And I hope that business schools and so forth are writing about it.” Article contentIn his own comments to employees, Ternus said that he’s “especially excited to be stepping into this role at this moment, because I am telling you we are about to change the world once again.” Article contentHe said Apple has an “incredible road map ahead, and I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the most exciting time to be building products and services at Apple in my entire career.” Article contentThe Cupertino, California-based company is poised to launch a foldable iPhone this fall and is working on several new home devices and wearables. Article content“AI is going to create almost unlimited potential,” he said. “We’re going to be able to keep unlocking possibilities that are going to create entirely new opportunities for our products and services, and I’m so excited about what that’s going to mean for our users.”Article contentTernus, who took over the company’s design teams last year, also pledged to keep the look and feel of Apple products at the forefront. “We’re going to keep focusing on design, because design is core to what we do at Apple,” he said. “Apple’s brought truly incredible design to more people than any company in history.”Article contentHe added that “there are some things that can never change and won’t change.” The incoming CEO promised to keep working on the company’s privacy, security and environmental efforts. Article content“Who we are as a company won’t change,” said Ternus, 50. “Our mission won’t change.” Article contentTrending Canadian telecom Rogers goes into tailspin as price war heats up Telecom Solomon says U.S. recession risk could be 'one tweet away' PMN Business Toronto's condo market 'hits bottom' with some developers looking at selling units below cost Real Estate U.S.-Canada trade deal is within reach in 2026, Ontario envoy says Economy From where the deals are to where prices dropped most, 5 key things to know about the spring real estate market Real Estate Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Canadian telecom Rogers goes into tailspin as price war heats up Telecom Solomon says U.S. recession risk could be 'one tweet away' PMN Business Toronto's condo market 'hits bottom' with some developers looking at selling units below cost Real Estate U.S.-Canada trade deal is within reach in 2026, Ontario envoy says Economy From where the deals are to where prices dropped most, 5 key things to know about the spring real estate market Real Estate