Apple(US:AAPL) Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-10-18 02:39Core Insights - Tim Cook has been at the helm of Apple for 15 years, succeeding Steve Jobs, and is characterized by a more conventional executive style compared to Jobs' charismatic leadership [2][40] Background and Early Career - Tim Cook was born on November 1, 1960, in Mobile, Alabama, in a rural family [4] - He graduated from Auburn University in industrial engineering and developed a traffic signal optimization system during his studies [6] - Cook began his career at IBM in 1982, later held positions at Intelligent Electronics and Compaq, before joining Apple in 1998 as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations [8] Leadership Transition - Cook became COO of Apple in 2011 and was invited by Jobs to consider the CEO position shortly before Jobs' passing [10][12] - Upon taking over, Cook faced skepticism due to his different public persona and the challenges of leading a company with a legacy like Apple's [14][16] Product Development and Innovation - Under Cook's leadership, Apple expanded its product line with new offerings like the Apple Watch, AirPods, and AirTag, alongside the continued success of the iPhone [18][20] - The iPhone 6 series, launched in 2014, became the highest-selling iPhone model with over 250 million units sold [20] - The Apple Watch quickly became the market leader in smartwatches, outselling the entire Swiss watch industry [22] - AirPods captured nearly half of the global wireless earphone market share by 2020 [24] Corporate Culture and Values - Cook has shifted Apple's corporate culture towards teamwork and collaboration, contrasting with Jobs' competitive approach [30][32] - He has emphasized philanthropy, environmental responsibility, and diversity, reshaping Apple's values since becoming CEO [28][32] Future Leadership - As Cook approaches retirement age, speculation about his successor has intensified, with hardware engineering VP John Ternus emerging as a leading candidate [40][42] - Ternus, a mechanical engineer with a strong track record at Apple, is seen as capable of leading the company into its next chapter, especially in emerging technologies [44][58]