Tim Cook Steps Down: A Look Back at His Legacy

Tim Cook has stepped down as CEO of Apple after 15 years, with hardware leader John Ternus assuming the role. Cook's tenure saw Apple diversify its revenue streams beyond the iPhone, significantly expanding its services business. This division, which includes offerings like Apple Pay and Apple Music, generated $100 billion in earnings last year, second only to iPhone sales.

Cook also spearheaded the successful transition of Macs from Intel processors to Apple's custom M-series chips, beginning in 2020. This strategic move provided a significant performance boost and freed the company from Intel's development cycle. Apple Watch, launched in 2015, evolved into an advanced health-tracking device, and AirPods became a leading wireless earbud product.

Despite these successes, Cook's leadership was not without its challenges. The Apple Vision Pro, launched in 2024 with a high price tag, faced weak sales, leading to production cuts and staff reductions. The ambitious Project Titan, Apple's self-driving car initiative, was also scrapped after over $10 billion in investment. Additionally, Siri has faced criticism for lagging behind competitors and has experienced significant delays in its AI-powered upgrades.

Throughout his time as CEO, Cook navigated complex issues, including Apple's refusal to build a backdoor into iPhones for government access, a stance on privacy that has continued in international disputes. The company also faced a lengthy legal battle with Epic Games over App Store policies.