Apple Chief Executive Officer John Ternus told employees in his first company-wide message as the company’s new leader that Apple has a major product launch next week, calling the upcoming iPhone event “extraordinary.”
The note marked Ternus’s first address to staff as CEO. In it, he praised Apple’s product pipeline and said he is excited not only about the next iPhone launch, but also about what comes after it.
Ternus flags next week’s Apple event
Ternus wrote: “We have a major launch next week, and it will be extraordinary.”
He said his enthusiasm goes beyond the imminent release, extending to products already being developed and to future devices the company has not yet imagined but will go on to create together.
In the message, Ternus said he is excited about “the amazing products in the works, as well as the products we have yet to imagine, but will dream up and create together in the years ahead.”
Cook thanked as he stays on as executive chairman
Ternus also thanked former CEO Tim Cook for helping during the leadership transition and for his years of service to Apple.
According to the report, Cook, who led Apple for 15 years, will remain executive chairman. Ternus said Cook shared extensive knowledge and experience during the handover, and described Apple as fortunate to have had a CEO who led with values, grace, and humanity.
He also said he felt deeply honored to take over the role at what he described as the greatest company in the world, and said he is highly excited about what Apple has in store.
First post on X came the same day
Also on Tuesday, Ternus made his first post on X, writing simply: “Hello.” That puts him alongside Cook and Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak among the company’s executives active on the social platform.
Joswiak said Ternus will reveal more at Apple’s company event on Sept. 9.
Report outlines broader Apple product roadmap
The report said Apple is planning to release its first foldable iPhone and is preparing to enter the smart home device segment.
Apple’s roadmap also includes camera-equipped AirPods, smart glasses, a desktop robotic home device, and a touchscreen MacBook.
Cook sends his final employee letter as CEO
On Monday, Cook sent what the report described as his final letter to employees as Apple CEO. In that message, he said he would miss the job but expressed confidence in Ternus’s leadership.
Full text of Ternus’s employee letter
Team,
Today is my first day as CEO, and I just wanted to send a brief note to thank you for all of the warm wishes.
I also want to express my deep gratitude to Tim for sharing so much wisdom and experience during this transition, and most of all, for everything he has done for Apple over the years.
We are incredibly fortunate to have had a CEO who leads with values and with such grace and humanity. We are all better because of it, and I am so grateful that he’ll be our executive chairman. I am deeply honored to take on this role at what I believe is the greatest company in the world, and I could not be more excited about what we have in store.
We have a major launch next week, and it will be extraordinary. Thank you for all that you’ve done to make it happen. What also excites me is what comes after that — the amazing products in the works, as well as the products we have yet to imagine, but will dream up and create together in the years ahead. There is no team in the world I’d rather build that future with. More to come. In the meantime, thank you for all of your great work!
John