John Ternus has officially stepped into the role of Apple CEO, taking over after Tim Cook’s 15-year tenure. Formerly Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, Ternus assumes leadership at a pivotal moment as the company prepares for its annual iPhone event on September 9. This event is expected to showcase some of Apple’s most significant innovations, including the highly anticipated first foldable iPhone.

In his inaugural memo to Apple staff, Ternus described the upcoming launch as “huge” and “phenomenal,” expressing excitement not only for the products about to be unveiled but also for the future innovations Apple is developing. Among the rumored announcements is a major upgrade to Siri’s AI capabilities, positioning it as a competitive alternative to chatbots like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude.

Beyond the foldable iPhone and AI advancements, Apple is reportedly working on several other new devices, including AirPods equipped with cameras, smart glasses, and a touchscreen laptop. These potential products signal Apple’s continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of hardware and integrating cutting-edge technology into its ecosystem.

Tim Cook, in his farewell message to employees, expressed strong confidence in Ternus’s leadership, highlighting his deep understanding of what it takes to build transformative products. Cook’s endorsement underscores the company’s confidence as Ternus takes charge and guides Apple into its next chapter amidst a rapidly evolving tech landscape.