Yeah, This Man’s Trying Just like the Frontrunner for New CEO of Apple

It appears like Tim Cook’s potential substitute is getting known as up for a serious league tryout. According to Bloomberg, John Ternus, Apple’s present head of {hardware} engineering, is having his position expanded and can now be dealing with design work inside his unit. It’s the most recent indicator that he may very well be subsequent in line to take the highest spot on the firm when Cook decides to step down.

Per the report, Ternus first bought the decision to tackle {hardware} design across the finish of final 12 months. That places Ternus ready to supervise each {hardware} and software program, seemingly offering a take a look at case to see what route he would possibly take the corporate—and see how the general public responds to it. (It doesn’t seem to be he’s answerable for the “liquid glass” replace that has been widely derided, so if he can determine tips on how to repair that, he’d be off to a terrific begin.)

Ternus has been gaining momentum because the potential Cook successor for some time now. Earlier this month, the New York Times profiled him and documented a few of his time at Apple, which he joined in 2001. It highlighted Ternus’ thought so as to add a small, photo-enhancing laser to high-end iPhones reasonably than all gadgets as a result of die-hards can be keen to pay for it, whereas the common client wouldn’t care.

The suggestion appears to be that Ternus can be a realistic CEO, following extra carefully within the footsteps of Cook than the extra vision-driven method of Steve Jobs. One former Apple worker told the Times, “If you want to make an iPhone every year, Ternus is your guy.” Of course, that gained’t precisely be music to the ears of people that consider Apple’s design method has stagnated over time and the corporate has misplaced a few of the luster that Jobs was in a position to carry by introducing gadgets just like the iPhone and iPad.

Bloomberg did note that whereas the position Ternus has been thrust into suggests a springboard to CEO-ship, it’s not a surefire assure that serving because the design overlord will get you the highest spot. Jony Ive held down the seat for years earlier than finally departing from Apple in 2019, apparently over frustrations that the corporate stopped emphasizing innovation and began specializing in churning out replicable designs that drive earnings. Jeff Williams most lately held the place, however he retired last year and was practically the identical age as Cook, so he wasn’t in line for a promotion.

Whether Ternus finally ends up the inheritor to Apple’s throne, we’ll should see. But it certain appears like he’s being given first crack at it.