Over the weekend, Bloomberg published an in-depth profile of Apple’s John Ternus, who many see as the company’s likely next CEO. The report also offers fascinating details on Ternus’ role in the iPad’s development.

Mark Gurman writes at Bloomberg:

In the early days of the iPad, Ternus argued the device’s hardware capabilities weren’t used to the fullest because its software platform—the same as the iPhone’s—wasn’t taking advantage of the tablet’s more powerful processor and bigger screen. He pushed internally for a new operating system and eventually persuaded Federighi to build it, enabling features such as desktoplike multitasking that make the iPad more appealing for productivity. Ternus was also instrumental in creating iPad accessories such as a stylus and keyboard, as well as their magnetic charging and pairing systems.

Ternus’ leadership in hardware makes it unsurprising that he was influential in the development of Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard for iPad.

What is surprising is that Ternus was behind the biggest iPad software change in the product’s lifespan: the creation of iPadOS.

For years, the iPad ran iOS because of its roots as being essentially a larger iPhone.

But the creation of iPadOS sparked a variety of new software features that only recently, with iPadOS 26, brought the iPad’s software up to par with the capabilities of its hardware.

Perhaps it’s a sign of Apple’s collaborative environment that a hardware lead could make such a big impact on software. And as a longtime iPad user, it’s exciting to hear that Apple’s potential next CEO has high standards for one of my favorite products.

What are your takeaways from this report? Let us know in the comments.

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