John Ternus Urges Craig Federighi to Accelerate Apple’s Software Development

8 November 2026 2 min read هدهد تك | Hudhud Tech

Apple’s new CEO John Ternus is reportedly urging software chief Craig Federighi to accelerate the company’s software development roadmap. This push comes amid concerns that Apple is not moving quickly enough to keep pace with competitors, particularly in the AI space.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Ternus recently held a closed-door meeting with Federighi, who has been leading Apple’s AI initiatives since the departure of the former AI leader. Ternus expressed frustration over what he perceives as a reluctance to embrace AI with the urgency seen in other companies, prompting him to encourage Federighi to move beyond merely improving Siri.

Federighi is known for his hands-on management style, which has significantly influenced Apple’s software development. However, this approach has left some team members feeling they have limited influence over product direction. Employees have noted that Federighi often engages in vigorous debates, which can stifle competing ideas.

Additionally, Federighi reportedly plans only for a 12- to 18-month timeframe, contrasting with the longer roadmaps typically used in hardware engineering. This difference in planning may be one of the gaps Apple aims to address in the coming years.

Concerns Over Leadership Changes

In a related development, Mike Rockwell, who leads the Vision Pro and Siri AI teams, is also contemplating stepping down from his role as vice president of Siri engineering. Such a departure would be significant, given Rockwell’s key role in launching the new Siri after a two-year delay.

Gurman also reported that Apple is experimenting with a new development pipeline that allows engineers to spend 50% more time coding and exploring, while reducing time spent on integration. This change aims to enhance productivity and innovation within the engineering teams.

As Apple navigates these leadership dynamics and development challenges, it remains to be seen how the company will adapt its strategies to enable faster software development timelines.