Apple is reportedly accelerating its CEO succession planning, with John Ternus, head of hardware engineering, emerging as a leading internal candidate to potentially succeed Tim Cook. Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001, is noted for his engineering acumen, calm demeanor, and ability to balance product innovation with profitability, exemplified by his suggestion to add lasers to Pro iPhones. Cook, who has expressed a desire to reduce his workload, may transition to chairman of the board. This potential leadership change is considered significant for the company.