The Jobs/Cook Era at Apple, Intel & AI, and Another SaaSpocalype

Apple’s leadership transition from Tim Cook to John Ternus marks a shift from operational stability back to a potential focus on hardware innovation, raising questions about whether the company can define the next major technology paradigm in the age of artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, Intel’s stock has reached all-time highs as unexpected demand for CPUs and memory infrastructure fuels a resurgence, proving that AI-driven capital expenditure is benefiting legacy hardware players. Amidst a broader market volatility dubbed the "SaaSpocalypse," software companies like Adobe, Salesforce, and The Trade Desk face significant valuation pressures. While investors debate whether these stocks are falling knives or value plays, the transition toward usage-based AI monetization models suggests that long-term profitability may depend on adapting to new productivity-linked revenue streams rather than traditional per-seat licensing.