Speculation Of Cook's Team Substitute Is Getting Wilder, Tony Fadell's Name Also Appears

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, during a visit to China (photo: x @tim_cook)

JAKARTA - The news cycle about who will replace Tim Cook as CEO of Apple is heating up again after a new report puts the name of Tony Fadell, Apple's former executive who has long left the company into the speculation exchange. Fadell's entry into the candidate list makes the issue of succession even wild and unpredictable.

Fadell, known as the 'Father ofTEN', left Apple since 2008 and the last product closely linked to his legacy 'iPod touch' has even been discontinued in 2022. Therefore, many parties were surprised when a report from The Information, which states that Fadell personally offered his name as one of the CEO candidates after Cook. However, the report also states that people close to Apple do not consider Fadell as a realistic candidate.

In the report, Fadell's name is juxtaposed with candidates who have been considered the most likely so far, such as John Ternus and several other internal Apple leaders. But including Fadell feels like an attempt to throw a surprise card to attract public attention.

The report even seeks to increase the weight of its argument by mentioning the support of an unnamed former Apple executive, who is said to want to see Apple experience fresh shocks through an outside figure as CEO.

But for some, the idea sounds absurd. Tony Fadell has been absent from Apple for more than a decade, and the changes in the direction of the company in the last 12 years are in stark contrast to the era when Fadell was still a central figure in the rotary division. Because of that, Fadell's chances of taking over the top position of the company are considered close to zero.

This phenomenon reflects how tempting the topic of succession of Apple CEOs in the world of technology journalism is. Every slightest rumor is always treated as most likely, as if the media are vying to become the earliest in predicting big surprises that are not necessarily going to happen. This topic has become a kind of gold sticker' to attract the attention of readers, especially when it comes to the most valuable technology company in the world.

Several previous reports said Cook might back down in 2026. However, many observers don't see that as a realistic prediction. According to AppleInsider's analysis, Cook is likely to still last until at least 2029.

This is referred to as Cook's attempt to ensure that the next transition to leadership is carried out by a generation that has no direct connection with political controversy in the era of Donald Trump's administration, which had put pressure on Apple.

Meanwhile, Apple's recent executive departures have also sparked additional speculation. But most of them are actually approaching retirement, and Apple, which is a giant with thousands of internal talents, is not expected to be shaken just by some upheaval at the leadership level.

Although rumors continue to flow, one thing remains the main conclusion of many analysts: Apple will almost certainly appoint a CEO from within the company, as has been the tradition that has been going on since Steve Jobs' 1997 return.

Figures from outside, especially those who have not been involved in Apple's ecosystem for a long time like Tony Fadell, are almost impossible to choose to lead a company with a highly closed and control-coated organizational culture.

But speculation remains speculation, and as long as Tim Cook has not announced its official plans, the rumor cycle surrounding who is Apple's heir to the throne appears to be continuing from realistic candidates to surprising names like Tony Fadell.