Pichai Applauds Cook’s Legacy As Transition Begins<\/p>\n
“Congrats on an incredible run,” Pichai said in a post on X, adding that he has “always respected” Cook’s commitment to Apple’s mission and looks forward to working with his successor.<\/p>\n
Cook earlier responded to the outpouring of support<\/a> by thanking users and employees.<\/p>\n “This is not goodbye,” Cook said, signaling his continued involvement as executive chairman. “It’s a hello to John.”<\/p>\n Apple Names John Ternus As Next CEO<\/p>\n Apple said John Ternus, its longtime hardware chief, will take over as CEO on Sept. 1, 2026<\/a>. Cook will remain in his role through the summer to ensure a smooth transition following a unanimous board decision.<\/p>\n Ternus, a 25-year veteran of the company, is widely viewed as a steady hand who understands Apple’s culture, but also someone who could accelerate strategic shifts \u2014 particularly in artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n Cook’s tenure, which began after Steve Jobs stepped down in 2011, saw Apple expand into services and become one of the world’s most valuable companies.<\/p>\n Apple-Google Partnership Remains Key Amid AI Push<\/p>\n Google reportedly pays Apple billions annually to remain the default search engine<\/a> on iPhones \u2014 a deal that continues to drive significant revenue for both sides.<\/p>\n