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Tony Fadell Emerges as Dark-Horse Name in Apple CEO Succession Coverage

A new report says the iPod co‑creator has told associates he is open to the job, with leadership turnover and disputed timelines keeping speculation alive.

Overview

  • The Information reports that former Apple executive Tony Fadell has told associates he would be open to replacing Tim Cook, a claim described by sources as intriguing yet polarizing given his past tenure.
  • Fadell, who left Apple in 2010, later co‑founded Nest and sold it to Google for $3.2 billion, and some former Apple leaders see him as a bold product‑focused option.
  • John Ternus remains the frequently cited internal contender, though people close to the company reportedly question whether he is ready, which could delay any announcement.
  • Apple has made no announcement on succession, while recent departures—John Giannandrea, Alan Dye, Lisa Jackson and Katherine Adams—have intensified focus on future leadership.
  • Reporting diverges on timing, with the Financial Times and Reuters pointing to a change as soon as 2026 and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman saying Cook is likely to remain for years, as Meta and OpenAI are reported to be hiring Apple talent.