Apple is ramping up its CEO succession strategy, bracing for the possible departure of Tim Cook as early as next year. Having steered the company for over 14 years, Cook's future remains uncertain, though no definitive choice has been made yet. Among the potential candidates, John Ternus, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, stands out as the most probable successor. Ternus, now 50 years old, has been with Apple since 2001. He has played a pivotal role in developing several flagship products and has been instrumental in transitioning the Mac line to Apple's proprietary chips. Jeff Williams, the Chief Operating Officer and once a leading contender for the CEO role, has declared his intention to retire, clearing the path for Ternus's potential rise. In recent times, Apple has made efforts to enhance Ternus's public profile, including entrusting him with hosting product launches and representing the company at significant events.