Where does Apple – perhaps the most iconic tech company on Earth – go next? Last week its CEO, Tim Cook, stood down after 15 years. As US Guardian tech editor Blake Montgomery explains, when Cook took over after the death of the charismatic Steve Jobs, there were doubts he could build on his predecessor’s success. In fact, he has overseen extraordinary growth. After a decade of building global supply chains – and charming presidents from Xi Jinping to Donald Trump – he now presides over a company worth $4tn.
The Challenges Ahead
Yet, as Nosheen Iqbal hears, maybe Apple has fallen behind. Its AI product Siri is routinely described as lagging behind its competitors. And when was the last time Apple developed a product – such as the iPhone – that truly seemed to shake the market?
New Leadership
And what does the appointment of John Ternus, an Apple insider and hardware guy, say about the company’s plans for the future? The choice signals a focus on hardware innovation and operational continuity, but questions remain about Apple's ability to lead in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
Apple's future hinges on navigating geopolitical tensions, especially with China, where its supply chain is deeply entrenched. Cook's successor must also address growing regulatory scrutiny and competition from rivals like Google and Samsung. The company's next chapter will test whether it can recapture the disruptive magic that defined its early years.
