Abstract:
Apple CEO Tim Cook will step down on September 1, and John Ternus, Apple's head of hardware engineering, will take over the position. On the eve of the handover, Cook's recent actions have attracted attention from the outside world. According to 9to5Mac, the media obtained the complete internal letter Cook wrote to Apple employees on his last day as Apple CEO. The full text of the letter is as follows:
Dear colleagues:
Today is my last day as CEO of Apple. I always knew this day would come one day, but when it actually came, as I write these words, it still feels unbelievable. I love this company and the team that makes it up. I didn’t want this day to go by without writing to you all: Thank you for the deep emotions you expressed to me, thank you for your commitment day in and day out, and thank you for giving me the incredible opportunity in my life to be your leader.
The truth is, no matter what people say about my achievements, I know clearly that it all started with you. It’s you who allow me to bring out the best in myself. I have never seen or worked with such an extraordinary group of people in my life, and I see more examples of it every day.
There is something truly unique about Apple. What I am most proud of is not what can be recorded in the annual report. Here is proof that culture can trump everything. Together we believe that what we create is significant; that we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to leave the world a better place than before we arrived. This sense of purpose is one of the things that makes this place so extraordinary. Apple helped foster this sense of purpose, but I believe it existed in everyone's heart long before you joined Apple. It's this belief that brought you to this company and continues to drive what you do every day.
Together we have created something that is far beyond any individual’s imagination and that no one person could accomplish alone. And this is the secret of our success. We bring out the best in each other and support each other. As Steve once said, it is because of who we are, what we believe, what we value, and how we see the world that we have the opportunity to leave our "mark" on the universe. How lucky we are and how lucky I am.
As you know, I'm not leaving Apple. But I am leaving a position that I deeply love. I couldn't imagine how much I would miss this job, although I have always been completely at peace with this decision. I will miss leading you and being with you every step of the way, but I feel so reassured by the thought of leaving the helm to someone as talented, good, and capable as John. Few people understand as well as John what it takes to build products that change the world. I am extremely excited about his upcoming leadership.
I hope you know how much I value you and how honored I am to serve as your CEO. Most of all, I hope you will continue to be proud to be a part of this extraordinary place we call Apple and always give your best. When we bring our whole selves to this work, caring for each other and those we serve, there is no limit to the profound change we can make.
I look forward to meeting you in my new role on Apple campus and around the world.
With all my heart and soul, I will always be
Yours
Tim
Cook also issued a message to Apple users that day.
Cook wrote on social media: "On my last day as CEO, sending a lot of love to the Apple community. My title will change tomorrow, but my love for the Apple community will never change. Thank you for always inspiring me. My gratitude is endless, and I look forward to the next chapter!"
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman also published an in-depth report on Sunday night introducing the situation between Cook and Ternus. Although the content of the report is not directly related to the CEO handover, it disclosed a previously unreported detail: The layoffs of the Vision Pro team appear to also affect employees responsible for device security, audio engineering, Siri integration, testing, and visionOS work.
Gulman also revealed that Apple is recruiting an executive bodyguard, requiring candidates to be able to "hike or backpack for miles at a time in difficult environments." Cook is a big fan of hiking and visiting U.S. national parks, so Gurman speculated that the job posting might have something to do with Cook. After stepping down as CEO, Cook may have more time to devote to outdoor activities.
After Cook steps down as Apple CEO, he will remain with the company as executive chairman.
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