Apple CEO Tim Cook addresses all employees for the first time: next week's iPhone launch will be "extraordinary"

Apple CEO John Ternus delivered his first speech as the new leader to employees, praising the company’s robust product pipeline and offering a teaser for next week’s “extraordinary” iPhone launch event.

The CEO, formerly in charge of hardware engineering, stated:

“Next week we have a major launch — it’s going to be truly extraordinary.”

He expressed excitement not only for the new iPhone launch, but also for future plans:

“Amazing products currently in development, as well as those we haven’t yet imagined — but will dream up and create together in the future.”

He also thanked his predecessor, Tim Cook, for his leadership at Apple and for his support during the transition. After 15 years at the helm, Cook will remain as executive chairman.

Also on Tuesday, Ternus made his first post on social platform X — “Hello” — joining Tim Cook and marketing chief Greg Joswiak among the ranks of Apple executives active on the site.

Joswiak noted that Ternus will share more information at the company event on September 9. Apple is planning to launch its first foldable iPhone and is preparing for an entry into the smart home device market.

Apple’s roadmap also includes AirPods with cameras, smart glasses, desktop robotic home devices, and a touchscreen MacBook.

On Monday, Cook sent his final letter to employees as CEO, saying he will miss the job but has full confidence in Ternus’s leadership.

Below is the full text of Ternus’s letter to all employees:

Team,

Today is my first day as CEO and I just wanted to send a brief note to thank everyone for your warm wishes. I also want to express my deep gratitude to Tim for sharing so much knowledge and experience with me during this transition and, more importantly, for everything he’s done for Apple over the years. We are incredibly fortunate to have had a CEO who always leads with values, grace, and profound humanity. We’ve all been made better by him, and I’m deeply grateful he will continue on as our executive chairman.

It’s an immense honor to take on this role at what might be the world’s greatest company, and I’m incredibly excited about everything we’re preparing. Next week, we have a major launch — it’s going to be truly extraordinary. Thank you all for everything you’re doing to make that possible.

I’m also excited for what comes after — not just for the amazing products currently in development, but for the things we haven’t yet imagined and will dream up and create together in the future. There’s no better team in the world I’d rather build the future with.

A lot more to come. In the meantime, thank you for your outstanding work!

John