Apple under Ternus: What comes next for the tech giant’s hardware strategy

As Apple races to remain competitive in the AI ​​space while dealing with tariffs and supply chain uncertainty, the company’s future is about to transform under new leadership.

Apple announced Monday that John Ternos will take over as CEO later this year, succeeding Tim Cook.

Cook transformed Apple into a $4 trillion global company, expanded its services business, and oversaw some of the most profitable years in technology history. Ternus offers a different type of skill. A longtime hardware executive, he spent his career building Apple hardware rather than managing the broader business.

Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and rose through the ranks of hardware engineering. Along the way, he contributed to some of the company’s biggest products, including the AirPods, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro.

His appointment signals a renewed focus on hardware at a time when Apple is under pressure to define its next era. Ternus will now help you determine what that looks like.

Devices with artificial intelligence at the center

Rather than trying to compete directly with companies building the biggest AI models, Ternus may push Apple to focus on the AI-powered devices themselves, whether that’s the device in your hand, something you wear, or something that lives in your home.

There’s already a lot of speculation about what Apple could release next. Ideas include smart glasses, a wearable necklace with a built-in camera, and even AirPods with artificial intelligence features. According to Bloomberg, the idea is that all of these products will connect to the iPhone, with Siri playing a major role.

Ternus is also expected to move forward with products that have been stuck in limbo. Foldable iPhones are the obvious example. It’s been rumored for years, and while competitors have already come forward, Apple has taken a slower approach, waiting until the technology meets its standards. Reports indicate that it will arrive in September, which means Ternus will oversee the launch.

Apple has also reportedly been exploring robots, especially for the home. One concept involves a tabletop device with a robotic arm attached to a display, essentially a smart assistant that can move and point toward you. Notably, this is in line with Ternus’ long-standing interest in robotics. In college, he built a device that allows quadriplegics to control a mechanical feeding arm using head movements, the New York Times reported.

There are also ideas for mobile robots that can follow you around, handle simple tasks, or act like an animated FaceTime screen. Some reports even suggest experiments with humanoid robots, although these are likely years away.

While none of these things are guaranteed to happen, they give a clear idea of ​​where Apple’s thinking might be headed.

However, the ongoing shortage of memory chips, President Trump’s frequently changing tariff policies, and the company’s reliance on Chinese manufacturing could create a difficult period ahead. Nearly 80% of iPhones were produced in China before the tariffs. The company recently turned to India, making about 25% of its iPhones in the country last year, according to Bloomberg.