Fans compare Apple’s CEO selection to the election of the POPE,
The announcement of a new CEO for Apple has taken social media by storm – with many comparing the selection to the election of a new Pope.
After 15 years leading the company, Tim Cook will step aside from his position as CEO to become executive chairman.
Moving into the spotlight is John Ternus, 51, Apple’s widely respected hardware chief, who will take over as CEO on September 1.
Unsurprisingly, the news has sparked a flurry of memes across social media.
‘White smoke seen from Apple Park to signify a new CEO,’ one user joked alongside an AI image of smoke over Apple’s Cupertino headquarters.
This is a reference to the smoke released from the Sistine Chapel chimney to signify that cardinals have elected a new Pope.
One fan replied: ‘For a moment, I thought Apple started announcing CEOs like the pope… honestly, that would be a pretty iconic upgrade.’
And another joked: ‘Apple Park just dropped the ultimate smoke signal. Habemus CEO!’
‘White smoke seen from Apple Park to signify a new CEO,’ one user joked alongside an AI image of smoke over Apple’s Cupertino headquarters
After 15 years leading the company, Tim Cook will step aside from his position as CEO to become executive chairman. Moving into the spotlight is John Ternus, 51, Apple’s widely respected hardware chief, who will take over as CEO on September 1
The news was confirmed by Apple last night.
‘John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor,’ Mr Cook said.
‘He is a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count, and he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future.
‘I could not be more confident in his abilities and his character, and I look forward to working closely with him on this transition and in my new role as executive chairman.’
Following the announcement, Apple fans have flocked to X to discuss the change.
Aside from comparing it to the election of the Pope, many have expressed their delight at the choice of John Ternus.
‘Congrats to John Ternus on the big promotion! Finally, an engineer in the big chair, maybe we’ll get some bold new hardware instead of just another notch upgrade,’ one user tweeted.
Another added: ‘John Ternus is a solid choice to be CEO! Apple will be in great hands going forward!’
The news was confirmed by Apple last night. ‘John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor,’ Mr Cook said
And one joked: ‘It’s finally his tern.’
However, others were less impressed.
‘John Ternus got big shoes to fill. Big, expensive Apple shoes,’ one user said.
Another vented: ‘Another Tim Cook clone shuffled into the big chair. Revolutionary. Can’t wait for iPhone 18 with 0.2mm thinner bezels and a $200 price hike.’
Meanwhile, others claimed they thought Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, had it in the bag.
‘I always thought if Tim ever stepped down his replacement would’ve been Craig Federighi,’ one user said.
Another said: ‘Apple Events would’ve been a lot more hyped and entertaining if Tim Cook had picked Craig Federighi as his successor.’
And one simply vented: ‘Craig Federighi robbed!!!’
Read More
BREAKING NEWS Apple CEO Tim Cook abruptly resigns and names successor
Mr Cook, 65, will remain firmly at the heart of the company’s strategic direction while handing over day–to–day control as the company prepares for its biggest iPhone overhaul in years, including what could be its first foldable model.
Stock in Apple, the world’s third–biggest company, was down in after–hours trading following the unexpected announcement.
The announcement underscores Apple’s continued focus on hardware innovation, with Ternus – long seen as a key architect behind many of the company’s flagship products – now poised to lead the entire organization into its next chapter.
THE TRILLION DOLLAR RISE OF APPLE
1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1, 1976, as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.
The first product was the Apple I.
1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market.
Steve Jobs unveils Apple Computer Corporation’s new Macintosh in California on February 6, 1984
1981: Jobs became chairman.
1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.
1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.
1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000.
Steve Jobs, then-chief executive officer of Apple, with the iPhone
2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.
The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.
2007: Apple unveils the iPhone.
2010: The first iPad was unveiled.
2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Jobs died in October from pancreatic cancer.
2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones – the 6 and 6 Plus.
2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services.
2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California, with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device.
2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner’s face.
Jobs at an Apple event at the company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California
2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers.
2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.
2020: In March, Apple closes all its brick-and-mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus.
2021: In an online virtual event in April, CEO Tim Cook declares Apple’s goal of becoming carbon neutral for Earth Day. Later in the year, the iPhone 13 was announced.
2022: In September, the iPhone 14 was announced. One of the new features included a new sensor to detect if a user had been in a car crash, as well as an improved camera system.
2023: Apple brings back its ‘Home Pod’ after the first generation was discontinued. The ‘Home Pod’ can be seen as an alternative to Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home, as it is powered by voice commands.
2024: Apple makes its first steps into artificial intelligence with the release of Apple Intelligence. The features are not all released at once, with many delayed until the following year.
