Apple's new CEO, John Ternus, made an unexpected appearance at the Emmy Awards, where he presented the company's upcoming iPhone Duo. Ternus, who officially stepped into the CEO role on September 1, 2026, after 15 years with Tim Cook at the helm, revealed the foldable device from his tuxedo.
The surprise product unveiling drew praise from onlookers, with some fans reportedly calling Ternus "the coolest person in the room." The iPhone Duo represents a new direction for Apple's smartphone line, which has evolved significantly since the first iPhone was introduced in 2007.
Apple's history dates back to 1976, founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. The company's first product was the Apple I computer kit, followed by the Apple II in 1977, which marked the first personal computer for the mass market. Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, taking on the CEO role officially in 2000, and oversaw the launches of iconic products such as the iPod, iTunes, OS X, the iPhone, and the iPad.
Tim Cook succeeded Jobs as CEO in 2011, leading the company through significant product expansions including the Apple Watch and Apple Music. Under Cook's leadership, Apple also focused on sustainability, aiming for carbon neutrality by Earth Day 2021, and introduced advancements in AI with Apple Intelligence in 2024, though many features were slated for release the following year.
Ternus, previously the head of Apple's hardware division, now leads the company as it navigates further technological advancements and a competitive market. The Emmy appearance marks an early public engagement for the new CEO, highlighting a potential shift in how Apple engages with the public and showcases its innovations.