After taking the helm just before Steve Jobs’s death, Tim Cook grew Apple’s value from $297 billion to $4 trillion by scaling the iPhone, overhauling manufacturing, and pushing Services. He built a just-in-time supply chain in China, launched products like AirPods and Watch, and prioritized shareholder returns even amid App Store policy debates.

• Cook took over six weeks before Jobs's death and grew Apple's market value from $297 billion to $4 trillion in 15 years, mainly by scaling and operationalizing Jobs's inventions rather than creating new ones.
• He built a just-in-time, China-based manufacturing supply chain with no significant recalls, and expanded peripherals like AirPods and Apple Watch into a $35.4 billion business.
• He kept Apple's 30% App Store fee intact despite internal pressure (from Phil Schiller) to cut it, prioritizing profit and gatekeeper control over ecosystem growth.
• The Google search-default deal on Safari, dating to 2002, remains a pure-profit revenue stream underpinning Apple's Services push.

Apple celebrated its 50th anniversary while facing significant challenges in the AI space. The company is shifting its strategy by partnering with Google for AI enhancements to Siri, amid concerns about user data and competition from rivals. Industry analysts suggest Apple must adapt quickly to maintain its relevance in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

• Apple is licensing Google's Gemini AI to power upgraded Siri features, a reversal of its privacy-first stance that risks feeding user data into Google's ad business
• Siri has stagnated since its 2011 launch, with insiders like co-founder Dag Kittlaus arguing it never reached its potential without Steve Jobs' vision
• Apple is betting on on-device AI chips to process queries locally rather than in the cloud, aiming to preserve privacy while catching up on AI capability
• New AI features are slated by year-end, but early consumer reaction has been mixed, reflecting doubts about Apple's overall AI strategy

Apple is set to kick off 2026 with the release of the iPhone 17e, new iPads, and updated Macs. CEO Tim Cook discussed various topics, including immigration and AI, during a recent meeting with employees. The company is also scaling back on a significant health service initiative.

• Apple plans to launch the iPhone 17e, new iPads, and updated Macs in early 2026
• Tim Cook addressed immigration, AI, and Apple's upcoming 50th anniversary at an employee all-hands meeting
• Apple is scaling back a major health service initiative
• Apple reported a historic quarter but still faces pressure to get serious about AI