Read memos from Apple's Tim Cook and John Ternus on CEO transition

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 21, 2026 | Technology

By Mark Gurman

After tapping hardware chief John Ternus to succeed Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook as the iPhone maker’s leader, Apple Inc. sent memos to staff from both executives explaining the move.

Cook, who took the CEO role from co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011, said now was the “right time” to make the transition, which takes effect on Sept. 1. Cook will stay with the company as executive chairman.

Here is Cook’s memo to employees:

Team,

Fifteen years ago, my friend and mentor Steve Jobs asked me to step into the role of CEO. It was an emotional and challenging moment for all of us at Apple, and I hoped I’d be up for the awesome responsibility I was taking on.

I knew then what I know now: that there are certain values embedded in Apple that are bigger than any of us; a belief in the simple, not the complex; a determination to innovate with a focus on those few things that are truly important to the world and meaningful to us; an impatience for anything less than excellence in every group in the company; a commitment to enriching the lives of those we have a privilege to touch with our work; and a resolve to do all that we can to leave the world better than we found it. Those were the values that made Apple what it was then, and I am proud to say that they are the ideals that animate each of us today.

Today, we have a truly extraordinary road map, and I have never been more optimistic about Apple’s future. That is why I have decided that now is the right time for me to transition to a new role of executive chairman. And I am thrilled to announce that John Ternus will be our new CEO.

Throughout the many years I’ve worked with him, and our many conversations about his becoming Apple’s next CEO, John’s passion and love for Apple shine through. He is a visionary in his own right, a man of remarkable integrity, and the kind of person we can all be proud to follow. John is the right leader to help us innovate into the future, to help us break new ground on big ideas and bold new pathways, and to ensure that the values that have made us so successful and so admired for the past 50 years will remain the core of our identity and our culture in the decades to come.

For my part, I will remain CEO through the summer and work very closely with John as we transition roles. In my new role as executive chairman, I plan to support John and Apple in a number of key areas and to be available to offer my experience whenever and wherever it is needed.

I want to offer my profound gratitude to the best executive team on the planet for your friendship and your brilliance over the years. And I want all of you, every member of the Apple team, to know how much it has meant to me to work with you. You are the most remarkable people in the world, and it’s because of you that Apple is such a special place. What we built, we built together, and you are why I am incredibly optimistic about the future. I know you will join me in congratulating John as we write this next chapter of Apple’s story.

We’ll be hosting a town hall tomorrow in the Steve Jobs Theater at 9 a.m. to talk about this and more. I’m looking forward to it.

With gratitude,

Tim

And this is Ternus’ memo:

Team,

As you’ve by now heard, Tim has announced that he will be transitioning into the executive chairman role, and in September, I will become Apple’s new CEO. It has been such a privilege to lead the hardware engineering team, to be part of such remarkable work, and to see all of you in action, determined as ever to do everything we can for our users. I look forward to working with you very closely in my new role. Needless to say, I still plan to be very hands-on.

As part of my transition to CEO, starting today, I will be stepping away from my role as head of hardware engineering. And I’m proud to announce that Tom Marieb will become the new leader of the organization. In that role, Tom’s responsibility will be to deliver on executing a truly amazing road map. He will report to Johny Srouji, who is such a talented leader and is taking on an expanded role of Chief Hardware Officer, which will allow us to work even more closely together with the hardware technologies team.

As those of you who have worked with him know, Tom is an amazing leader and an incredible mentor to so many people. Tom cares so much about the user experience, and he has been relentlessly focused on making sure we’re delivering at the standards to which we are always aspiring. I very much look forward to our continued work together.

I will have more to say when I see you in person. For now, let me simply say thank you for everything you’ve done — and for everything I know you will do. We have such important work ahead of us, and I can’t imagine a more capable team. JT

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Apple CEO Tim Cook to step down, John Ternus to take over on Sept 1

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 21, 2026 | Technology

By Mark Gurman

Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook will hand the reins to hardware boss John Ternus later this year, capping a 15-year tenure that turned the company into a $4 trillion business spanning watches, video streaming and financial services.

Ternus will become CEO on Sept. 1, when Cook will transition to executive chairman, the company said in a statement Monday. Ternus, 50, has served as head of hardware engineering since 2021 and spent 25 years focused on product development at the iPhone maker. Bloomberg News previously reported that Ternus was Cook’s heir apparent.

The hardware engineering division will be taken over by longtime deputy Tom Marieb, according to people with knowledge of the matter. He will report to newly named Chief Hardware Officer Johny Srouji. In that role, Srouji is gaining oversight of a freshly combined hardware engineering and hardware technologies group.

Ternus must now chart a new path for one of Silicon Valley’s most storied businesses at a challenging moment. Though Apple’s growth remains strong, the company has struggled to catch up in artificial intelligence — technology that promises to transform the way consumers use devices.

“John Ternus has the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor,” Cook said in the statement. “He is a visionary whose contributions to Apple over 25 years are already too numerous to count, and he is without question the right person to lead Apple into the future.”

The announcement comes just weeks after the company’s 50th anniversary celebration — festivities that included a live performance at the Apple Park campus by Paul McCartney. A longtime Apple executive, who worked under both Cook and Ternus, said it “felt obvious that the celebration also doubled as a goodbye to Tim.”

Ternus is a “Tim Jr.” in style and he’s likely going to “continue to run the show the way Tim did,” said the executive, who asked not to be identified in order to speak candidly. Ternus isn’t a Steve Jobs-like showman, the person said. “He’s not a marketing ace. But he’s a product guy who is also politically savvy.”

Like Cook, Ternus is “probably not the guy who’s going to risk it all,” according to the person.

Investors largely took the announcement in stride. After dipping nearly 2 per cent in late trading, the shares pared their losses. They were down less than 0.5 per cent to $271.70 by Monday evening in New York.

Global Ambassador

In the new executive chairman role, Cook will be engaging with policymakers around the world, Apple said. The 65-year-old CEO already oversees Apple’s relationship with US President Donald Trump and often travels to China to manage the company’s ties with that country. As part of the transition, longtime Chairman Art Levinson will become lead independent director.

When he steps down as CEO, Cook will have served a record 15 years in the position. Over that span, he helped build on the success of the Mac and iPhone by pushing into health services, smartwatches and earbuds. Annual sales almost quadrupled to $416 billion in the last fiscal year, and Apple now touts an active installed base of more than 2.5 billion devices.

During the Cook era, the company introduced larger iPhones, multiple new iPads, and services like Apple Music and Apple TV. But there have also been flops, including the Vision Pro headset and a failed attempt to build a self-driving car. The Cupertino, California-based company spent a decade working on both.

Cook’s tenure also was mired by misfires in artificial intelligence. OpenAI, Anthropic PBC, Alphabet Inc.’s Google and others have launched world-changing AI products while Apple has largely sat on the sidelines.

New Devices

Ternus is a strong believer in AI and reorganised the hardware engineering division this month to operate with a new AI platform designed to help with product development and improving device quality, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The incoming CEO has been leading the charge on a trio of new AI-focused wearables and new home devices, Bloomberg has reported. That lineup includes new AirPods, smart glasses and a pendant with cameras. He’s also been overseeing the development of new smart home products, including a display with facial recognition, a tabletop robot and a security camera.

Cook has been preparing Ternus for the role for months, asking him at the end of last year to informally take over the company’s software and hardware design teams. He has also inherited a new hardware prototyping team in recent months and took charge of hardware engineering for the Apple Watch.

In a memo to the hardware engineering group, Ternus said he is stepping away from his current role Monday. Still, he’s not going far, Ternus said. “I look forward to working with you very closely in my new role. Needless to say, I still plan to be very hands-on.”

Cook’s retirement as CEO adds to major executive turnover at the company — with environment chief Lisa Jackson, operations head Jeff Williams, former hardware boss Dan Riccio and longtime interface design lead Alan Dye also stepping down in recent months. There have also been shake-ups to the company’s general counsel and chief financial officer roles.

“Today, we have a truly extraordinary road map, and I have never been more optimistic about Apple’s future,” Cook told employees. “That is why I have decided that now is the right time for me to transition to a new role of executive chairman.”

He said he would share more details about the transition in an all-hands meeting Tuesday.

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OpenAI's India test: Can massive AI use scale turn into a paying market?

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 20, 2026 | Technology

India has emerged as one of OpenAI’s fastest-growing artificial intelligence (AI) markets, with weekly active users having quadrupled in the past year. India is now the company’s second-largest market behind the US, particularly in coding, reasoning and data-heavy tasks.

CEO Sam Altman confirmed that India has over 100 million weekly active ChatGPT users. But this is no longer just a usage story. For OpenAI, India matters not just in terms of data, but also as a test of whether AI can become a real revenue business outside the Western markets.

India as a monetisation test case

For investors and the broader ecosystem, the stakes are clear:

If it works, it will become a blueprint for scaling across emerging economies

If it fails, AI revenues remain concentrated in developed markets

For now, however, India remains primarily a usage-led market, not a revenue-led one.

According to Rahul Agarwalla, managing partner at SenseAI Ventures, India is largely a scale and usage story, and that usage brings across a lot of data. “That gives AI companies a huge edge because they understand what users are trying to solve. That’s where the company wins,” he told Business Standard.

Agarwalla, whose firm has backed AI-first startups such as Vernacular.ai and Cureskin, said usage-driven improvement over revenue may delay monetisation.

“I think the battle is a long one. If usage helps them (AI firms) win the AI race, I don’t see this going away anytime soon,” he added.

The four-part strategy

According to the experts, OpenAI’s India play is not a single lever but a combination of four parallel bets.

1. Consumer: solving for affordability

The first layer is access. With an aim to widen the funnel and monetise over time, OpenAI has experimented with low-cost offerings such as ChatGPT Go to expand adoption in price-sensitive markets like India.

But India’s history with digital products suggests that conversion from scale to revenue – at least at the consumer level – is not guaranteed.

Sunil Kharbanda, founder & COO of Trezix, a Surat-based technology innovation company, told Business Standard, “India’s low willingness to pay for AI reflects a deeper truth: enterprises will not pay for access to AI, but they will pay for outcomes.”

2. Enterprise: where the real money is

If consumer monetisation is uncertain, enterprise is where the real opportunity lies.

OpenAI’s partnership with the Tata Group to accelerate AI-native transformation in India, including deployment through TCS and focusing on building massive AI infrastructure, signals a clear push into large-scale enterprise adoption.

Early signs suggest that monetisation is already happening. “OpenAI and others are already monetising Indian businesses through APIs. Those revenues are not insubstantial,” Agarwalla noted.

At the same time, enterprise demand itself is evolving. According to Kharbanda, Indian enterprises are clearly transitioning from AI experimentation to committed, return on investment (ROI)-driven spending.

3. Infrastructure: the sovereignty layer

OpenAI is also investing in local infrastructure, marking a shift from purely global delivery models. The company plans to work with TCS’ HyperVault data centre business.

“OpenAI will become the first customer of Tata Consultancy Services’ HyperVault data center business, beginning with 100 megawatts of capacity and with potential to scale to 1 gigawatt over time,” OpenAI said earlier this year.

This reflects a broader structural shift.

Agarwalla explained why localisation is no longer optional. “It is always easier to have compute closer to the user. There are also data sovereignty issues. For OpenAI, establishing a footprint in every major market is a given,” he said.

He added that India’s infrastructure gap makes this even more urgent. “India has about 3 per cent of global data centre capacity but produces around 20 per cent of the data. That gap has to shrink.”

4. Ecosystem: locking in future users

Beyond pricing and infrastructure, OpenAI is also focusing on ecosystem-building by investing in broader AI adoption initiatives, developers, education, and workforce skilling.

However, Kharbanda said while OpenAI accelerates access to AI capabilities, it does not solve the harder challenge of embedding AI into enterprise systems, governance frameworks, and workflows.

“Sustainable adoption happens only when AI becomes part of the operating layer of the business, not a standalone tool. This is where domain platforms play a critical role in translating AI into measurable outcomes,” he said.

Why India is hard to monetise

India’s digital economy has long been characterised by massive scale and weak monetisation. According to Kharbanda, India is not purely “price-sensitive” but “value-sensitive”.

“Clear ROI is the key to unlocking enterprise spending,” he said.

According to experts, there are also some enterprise constraints. Even as adoption rises, budgets remain disciplined, and spending is majorly tied to:

measurable outcomes

efficiency gains

compliance requirements

Open-source pressure

While India’s developer ecosystem is highly cost-conscious and open-source friendly, Kharbanda argues this may not significantly impact enterprise monetisation. “Open-source models will drive experimentation, but enterprise deployments require reliability, governance, and auditability at scale,” he said.

According to Kharbanda, AI may be one of the first digital categories in India where monetisation is driven by productivity, not advertising.

“AI by itself is not a product; it becomes valuable only when embedded into real business processes,” he said.

This shifts the conversation from access to outcomes, and from pricing to value creation.

What this means for India Inc

Experts highlight that OpenAI’s strategy could reshape how Indian companies adopt and pay for AI. For startups, the implications are immediate. Kharbanda said, “Foundational models are becoming a commodity layer, but platforms that combine AI with domain expertise and workflow integration are structurally advantaged.”

According to him, this creates pressure on horizontal AI startups, but an opportunity for specialised ones.

For IT services firms, the outcome may be hybrid. “They will act as both partners and competitors, but the ecosystem will largely evolve toward co-creation rather than direct competition,” he added.

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Dell 15 laptop with Intel Core Ultra 2 series processor launched: Details

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 20, 2026 | Technology

2 min read Last Updated : Apr 20 2026 | 1:46 PM IST

Dell has launched the Dell 15 laptop in India, featuring Intel Core Ultra 2 series H processors based on “Arrow Lake architecture,” along with integrated Intel Arc graphics and a dedicated NPU for on-device AI tasks. The device features a 15-inch FHD display, a Copilot key and runs on Windows 11. According to Dell, the laptop is designed to support everyday productivity, with features such as ExpressCharge and AI-backed performance enhancements.

Dell 15: Price and availability

Price: Rs 69,699 onwards

Colour: Carbon Black, Platinum Silver

The Dell 15 laptop is now available for purchase from Dell’s website, Dell Exclusive Stores and select retail stores.

Dell 15: Offers

Cashback of up to Rs 5,000 on opting for monthly instalment payment plans with select bank cards

No interest-equated monthly instalment plans for up to 12 months

One-year ADP at Rs 99

One-year warranty extension at Rs 299

AI Zolo Pro – one-year multi-model subscription at Rs 999

Dell 15: Details

The Dell 15 is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 5 225H or Core Ultra 7 255H processor. The laptop includes integrated Intel Arc graphics and a dedicated NPU. As per Dell, this handles AI workloads such as video calls and content editing without significantly impacting battery life. The device also includes a dedicated Copilot key, providing quick access to AI-assisted features within Windows 11 for tasks like content creation and task management.

The Dell 15 comes with a 15-inch Full HD display offering up to 300 nits of brightness. It features an anti-glare coating for improved visibility across different lighting conditions. It also features an HD webcam, integrated microphones and AI-based noise reduction.

The laptop supports ExpressCharge, which Dell claims can charge the battery up to 80 per cent within one hour. The Dell 15 is available in Carbon Black and Platinum Silver finishes, with a polycarbonate chassis. It includes a full-size keyboard with a numeric keypad, along with a lifted hinge design intended to provide a more ergonomic typing angle.

Dell said the device offers multiple ports, including a full-function USB Type-C port, along with wireless connectivity options for compatibility with external displays and peripherals.

First Published: Apr 20 2026 | 1:46 PM IST

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Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold no longer on sale, successor may launch soon

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 20, 2026 | Technology

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold has officially sold out, with no units likely to arrive in the near future. Samsung’s website for the Galaxy Z TriFold now reads, “The limited-run Galaxy Z TriFold is now completely sold out.” The website now redirects users to buy either the Galaxy Z Fold 7 or the Galaxy S26 Ultra. However, as per a report by Android Authority, the company is said to be working on developing a successor to the TriFold with a redesigned hinge.

According to the report, Samsung is already working on a second-generation Galaxy Z TriFold model. While specific details about the updated hinge design remain unclear, the company is reportedly aiming to make the next version slimmer and lighter than the current iteration. Notably, there is no official confirmation yet regarding the Galaxy Z TriFold 2 or the redesigned hinge. Hence, readers should take this information with a pinch of salt.

The report also indicated that Samsung may introduce incremental improvements to the hinge mechanism used in its standard Galaxy Z Fold lineup, with minor technical refinements potentially helping future Fold and Flip models become thinner compared to their predecessors.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold: Details

Samsung had introduced the Galaxy Z TriFold late last year as its first smartphone featuring a tri-fold display design. The device used a dual-hinge mechanism that unfolded into a tablet-sized screen of around 10 inches.

The smartphone was initially launched in South Korea on December 12 at a price of 3.59 million won (approximately $2,899), and later expanded to the US in January.

According to a Bloomberg report, the Galaxy Z TriFold was not widely available through carriers or third-party retailers and was instead sold primarily via Samsung’s own channels. This limited rollout indicated that the device was targeted more at early adopters rather than a mass-market audience.

In terms of design, the Galaxy Z TriFold featured a three-panel structure with an inward-folding mechanism. When fully unfolded, it transformed into a large display suited for multitasking and media consumption.

The device was powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and included a 200MP primary camera, a 5,600mAh battery and IP48-rated resistance against dust and water.

Samsung had also introduced software features optimised for the tri-fold format, enabling users to run multiple apps at once, adjust window sizes and use a taskbar for easier navigation between applications.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold: Specifications

Main screen: 10-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QXGA+ (2160 x 1584) resolution, 1600 nits peak brightness, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1-120 Hz)

Cover screen: 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, FHD+ (2520 x 1080) resolution, 21:9 aspect ratio, 2600 nits peak brightness, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1-120 Hz)

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite

RAM: 16GB

Storage: 512GB / 1TB

Rear cameras: 200MP primary (OIS) + 10MP 3x telephoto (OIS) + 12MP ultra-wide

Front camera: 10MP (cover screen), 10MP (main screen)

Battery: 5600mAh

Charging, 45W wired, 15W wireless

Thickness: 12.9mm (folded)

Weight: 309g

Protection: IP48, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on cover

OS: Android 16-based OneUI 8

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Apple's 2026 roadmap: Foldable iPhone, AirPods Pro with cameras, and more

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 20, 2026 | Technology

In 2026, Apple is planning to enter new categories as well as bring incremental changes to some of its existing products. Some of the new products could include a foldable iPhone, a smart home hub and smart glasses powered by an upgraded Siri. Meanwhile, Apple is also planning to launch a new MacBook Pro model, which could be the first Mac to get an OLED display and touch support. Apple is also said to be working on next-generation AirPods Pro, which could feature built-in IR cameras.

New Apple devices expected in 2026:

iPhone Fold

Apple is expected to unveil its maiden foldable iPhone model this year alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models. The device is expected to feature a book-style folding design, with an internal display roughly the size of an iPad mini and a smaller outer screen. The inner panel will likely use a wider aspect ratio than existing foldables, aiming to deliver a more immersive experience for video and productivity. Apple is also said to be working on reducing the visible crease and improving durability.

On the software side, the device is likely to run iOS with new layouts inspired by iPad-style interfaces, including side-by-side apps and redesigned UI elements with sidebars.

It is expected to feature Touch ID on the side frame instead of Face ID, and is likely to include a dual rear camera setup with a primary and an ultra-wide lens.

HomePod Touch

Earlier referred to in reports as “HomePad,” Apple’s upcoming smart home hub is now believed to be called the “HomePod Touch.” As reported by 9To5Mac, this device is expected to serve as a central control hub for Apple’s connected ecosystem, allowing users to manage and interact with HomeKit devices from a single interface.

The HomePod Touch is expected to feature a 7-inch touchscreen and a front-facing camera for FaceTime calls. It may also include a rechargeable battery for portability, along with built-in speakers and optional accessories such as a wall mount or a stand with integrated speakers. On the software side, the device could introduce a new operating system called homeOS, which is likely to feature a widget-based interface similar to the iPhone’s StandBy mode.

Smart glasses

Earlier this month, Bloomberg reported that Apple is working on new smart glasses with a potential unveiling by late 2026 or early 2027. The device is reportedly internally codenamed N50 and is being tested in at least four frame styles. These include large rectangular frames similar to Wayfarer-style glasses, slimmer rectangular designs, and both large and smaller oval or circular variants. The company is also reportedly exploring different finishes such as black, ocean blue and light brown.

Unlike Meta-branded smart glasses, Apple’s version is not expected to be a standalone device and may rely on a connected iPhone for processing.

The report also noted that the glasses will rely on an upgraded version of Siri, expected to arrive with iOS 27, enabling hands-free interaction. Apple is also said to be using computer vision to interpret surroundings and provide contextual assistance, such as navigation cues and reminders.

Devices getting big changes in 2026

MacBook Pro

Apple is also said to be working on a future MacBook Pro model featuring a touch-enabled OLED display. According to a previous Bloomberg report, the OLED MacBook Pro is likely to sit above the existing models as a higher-tier option, rather than replacing them. The report also stated that Apple could potentially market this device under the “MacBook Ultra” name. Alternatively, the company may offer the OLED display as a premium configuration option with the next-generation MacBook Pro lineup.

The OLED MacBook Pro was earlier expected to launch in October this year. However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that Apple may delay the launch to the end of this year or early next year due to a memory shortage. A new Mac Studio model is also reportedly delayed to October.

AirPods Pro

Apple is also reportedly planning to launch the third-generation AirPods Pro by the end of 2026, featuring infrared cameras. According to a report by 9To5Mac, Apple could use these built-in cameras in sync with existing hardware on the AirPods Pro, such as the accelerometer, skin-detect sensors and heart rate monitor, to enable a new feature called silent speech.

This would allow the AirPods Pro 3 to analyse facial micro-movements and patterns to determine what the user is saying, without any audible speech required.

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