Apple’s John Ternus era begins: ‘It is great to be here’

Apple’s latest product event began with something the company hasn’t seen in more than a decade: a new CEO at the helm. And he got a standing ovation.

“First of all, thank you, it is great to be here,” John Ternus said as he opened Wednesday’s event excited about Apple’s future in what is his first product launch since succeeding Tim Cook as chief executive. “I think you’re gonna like what you’re gonna see,” he said.

The remarks offer an early glimpse at how Ternus plans to present himself as he settles into a role long defined by his predecessor and steers one of the world’s most closely watched companies.

Ternus is a seasoned product executive who has spent more than two decades at Apple. His tenure spanned both the Steve Jobs and Cook eras, and his elevation to CEO comes amid a broader changing of the guard at Apple following a steady exodus of longtime executives. Cook will continue on as executive chairman of Apple’s board.

Ternus inherits a company facing some of its most consequential challenges in years. Apple is racing to prove it can compete in artificial intelligence, while navigating RAM shortages and an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.