In the latest Power On newsletter from Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman, the spotlight is firmly on John Ternus, who will step into the role of Apple CEO on September 1, 2026, succeeding Tim Cook. Gurman argues that Ternus’s top priority should be nothing less than a full-scale revival of Apple’s once-legendary industrial design team — a group that has “lost its way” in the years since Jony Ive’s departure. Why Design Needs a Shake-Up Apple built its empire on products that didn’t just work beautifully — they looked and felt revolutionary. The iPhone, MacBook, and AirPods became cultural icons because design sat at the absolute center of decision-making. But according to the report, that influence has eroded: • Key departures have hollowed out the team: Jony Ive left in 2019, followed by other leaders like Evans Hankey and Alan Dye (who joined Meta in late 2025). • The industrial design organization no longer holds a true executive seat and reports through operations rather than driving strategy. • Recent products, while solid, have been criticized for incrementalism rather than the “wow” factor that once defined Apple. Ternus, a 25-year Apple veteran with deep hardware engineering roots (he previously oversaw the transition to Apple Silicon and the iPad Pro redesign), already has visibility into design. Gurman notes that Ternus has emphasized making Apple products “the most beautifully designed items customers own.” The incoming CEO now has the chance — and the mandate — to appoint fresh leadership, restore design’s strategic clout, and refocus the company on aesthetics alongside AI and functionality. A Jam-Packed 2027: Apple’s Make-or-Break Year The newsletter also dives into Apple’s ambitious 2027 product plans, which could give Ternus the perfect stage to prove design still matters. This lineup coincides with the iPhone’s 20th anniversary and looks set to be one of the most exciting hardware years in recent memory: • Camera-equipped AirPods: Slated for late 2027, these AI-focused earbuds with built-in cameras represent a major push into always-on intelligent devices. • Next-gen Foldable iPhone: A sequel to the first foldable model (expected earlier), aiming to refine the category. • Twentieth Anniversary iPhone: A flagship “iPhone 20” or special edition model to celebrate two decades of the revolutionary device. • Smart Glasses: Apple’s answer to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, potentially launching around the same timeframe. This “flurry of new releases” signals Apple is betting big on wearables, foldables, and AI hardware — categories where standout design will be essential to stand out from competitors. MacDailyNews Take: Apple remains financially dominant and technically strong, especially in AI with improvements to Siri and its ecosystem. But to reclaim the “cool” factor and drive the next decade of growth, design must once again become a north star. Ternus, — a product person per se, unlike his predecessor — has the engineering chops and internal respect to pull this off. If he succeeds in rebuilding the design culture while executing on the 2027 roadmap, Apple could enter a new golden era! Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon. The post Apple’s new CEO John Ternus faces a critical test: Revive iconic design while delivering a blockbuster 2027 roadmap appeared first on MacDailyNews. You're currently a free subscriber to MacDailyNews. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription.
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