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iPhone 15 Wish List: USB-C, Touch ID and Other Features I Want to See

Commentary: These are the biggest iPhone upgrades I hope Apple delivers in 2023.

The iPhone 14 is only a few months old, but I’m already curious to see what’s in store for the iPhone 15. Apple gave us many of the upgrades we’ve been waiting for with the iPhone 14 — especially on the Pro models. Such features include an always-on display for showing the time at a glance and better multitasking through the Dynamic Island.

Still, there are a few ways Apple could take things further with the iPhone 15. For example, the company could do a better job of bringing certain Pro-exclusive features down to its less-expensive iPhone models. Samsung frequently does this with its cheaper phones, and I’d like to see Apple embrace this approach more fully, too. The Dynamic Island also shows a lot of promise already, but Apple could make it an even more integral part of the iPhone experience.

Apple typically announces its new iPhones in September and releases them shortly thereafter. Here’s what I’m hoping to see from the iPhone 15 next year.

USB-C charging

The Lightning connector has been around for 10 years, and it’s time for a change. With so many Apple products making the switch to USB-C, there’s never been a bigger need for one charger that powers all devices. Apple currently has four different types of chargers on the market: Lightning (for iPhones, the 2021 iPad, AirPods and a few other accessories), USB-C (for most new iPads and MacBooks), MagSafe (the wireless magnetic charger for iPhones) and MagSafe 3 (the magnetic charger for the 2022 MacBook Air, 14-inch MacBook Pro and 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro).

Making new iPhones compatible with USB-C instead of Lightning means you could use the same cable to charge your new phone, the Mac and new iPads. There’s a good chance most of your other electronics use USB-C too.

The good news is that a USB-C iPhone may not be very far away. Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, confirmed that the company would comply with the European Union’s mandate that all phones sold in the region would need to have a USB-C charging port. He made the comments during an interview at the Wall Street Journal Tech Live conference. Apple has also previously tested USB-C iPhones, according to Bloomberg.

However, Apple has not revealed any specifics about its plans. We don’t know if Apple will begin making the switch to USB-C with the iPhone 15 or if it will wait until the following year, since the new rules require USB-C by the end of 2024. Apple also has not said whether USB-C will be coming to all iPhones or just European models, although analysts expect Apple to make a complete shift to USB-C.

Higher refresh rates on the regular iPhone 15

Starting with last year’s iPhone 13 Pro, Apple added higher refresh rates to the displays on its premium smartphones. The iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have a feature Apple calls ProMotion, which can boost the screen’s refresh rate as high as 120Hz depending on what’s being shown. This results in more fluid scrolling and smoother animations.

It’s a small touch, but one that makes the experience feel more pleasant — as my colleague Patrick Holland wrote in his review of the iPhone 13 Pro. While having a high refresh rate isn’t a deal breaker, it’s become standard on most smartphones. Google’s $599 Pixel 7 has a 90Hz refresh rate and Samsung’s $800 Galaxy S22 includes a 120Hz refresh rate, for instance. Even the $450 Galaxy A53 5G has a 120Hz display, making its absence on the $799 iPhone 14 feel even more noticeable.

More features that use the Dynamic Island

The Dynamic Island, which is available only on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, is essentially a second miniature screen. Instead of getting rid of the notch, Apple gave that space a new purpose by using it to display information from other apps.

For example, you can see music that’s currently playing, timers, and directions in Maps at the top of the screen — eliminating the need to switch between apps. The Dynamic Island makes it easier to multitask on the iPhone 14 Pro, an area in which Apple has traditionally lagged behind Samsung and other Android phones that support split-screen apps.

Now that the Dynamic Island has proven its value, I’d like to see Apple do even more with it next year. It would be interesting to see Apple use this space to make proactive suggestions, like apps that may be useful based on your activity, the time of day or your schedule. Part of the Dynamic Island’s usefulness also depends on what app developers decide to do with it, too. There are already a handful of apps that incorporate the Dynamic Island, such as Pixel Pals, which essentially looks like a Tamagotchi for your iPhone. But I’m hoping to see more practical use cases for the Dynamic Island that make it feel like a more critical part of your phone, similar to the iPhone’s home screen widgets.

If Apple does expand the Dynamic Island’s functionality in the future, there’s a chance you may not need the iPhone 15 to take advantage of it. Instead, Apple could build new Dynamic Island features into its next major software update, which is likely to be called iOS 17.

A smaller notch on the regular iPhone 15

If Apple isn’t going to bring the Dynamic Island to the base iPhone 15, I hope it at least makes the notch less intrusive. The notch hasn’t changed all that much since its debut on the iPhone X in 2017, aside from the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. Meanwhile, other smartphone makers like Samsung, Google and OnePlus have found ways to provide edge-to-edge screens on their devices without carving out a large notch for the front-facing camera. Reducing the notch’s size would likely result in more screen space and a more modern look for the iPhone 15.

If Apple does move in this direction, we might have to wait until the iPhone 16 to see it. Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst with TF International Securities known for his Apple predictions, estimates under-display Face ID and front-facing camera sensors will be coming in 2024.

That said, there are good reasons why the iPhone still has a larger notch than many of its competitors. It mostly comes down to Face ID, which is more sophisticated than the facial recognition systems found on other phones like the Pixel 7, which Google cautions shouldn’t be used for authenticating sensitive data like payment information.

Reverse wireless charging

Many Android phones have reverse wireless charging, which is exactly what it sounds like. You can use the back of phones like the Galaxy S22 and Pixel 7 to charge other devices, like a smartwatch or earbuds. While it’s likely not a must-have for most people, I can imagine it being very useful for avid AirPods users.

No one likes being stuck on their morning commute with a dead pair of AirPods. Having the option to get just enough juice to make it through my 30-minute train ride by placing my AirPods on the back of my phone for a few minutes could be a game changer. Yes, you’ll have to sacrifice some of your phone’s battery. But if you’re traveling to a destination where you’ll easily be able to charge your phone once you arrive — like the office — it might be worth that tradeoff.

The return of Touch ID

While Face ID is convenient in many situations, there are instances in which using your finger to unlock your phone is just more practical. That’s why I’m hoping Touch ID makes a comeback on the iPhone. Maybe you haven’t had time to set up Face ID so that it works with a mask yet, or perhaps you’re just not holding your iPhone at the right angle for Face ID.

Apple clearly sees the value in fingerprint recognition, considering the top button on the latest standard iPad and iPad Air have Touch ID. Doing the same for the iPhone 15 would add more convenience, giving users the choice to use Face ID or Touch ID depending on the situation. Most Android phones have both a fingerprint reader and some form of facial recognition, so it would be great to see iPhone users get the same options.

It’s unclear whether Apple will ever bring Touch ID back to the iPhone. While the analyst Kuo previously predicted that future iPhones would get an under-display fingerprint sensor, he changed his outlook in March 2022.

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max already address many of the previous shortcomings of Apple’s smartphones. The updates I’m hoping to see in the iPhone 15 may not seem revolutionary, but they’re bound to make everyday tasks like charging and unlocking your phone a bit easier.

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Why Can’t I Get a Job Right Now? 9 Expert Tips to Stand Out to Recruiters

From ghosting to burnout, here’s how you can stay sane and get hired in a brutal job market.

Since getting laid off from a tech marketing role last November, Stephanie Wandell has applied to hundreds of jobs. She’s heard back from only a handful of recruiters, without any offers.

«I was a little bit naive going into it, thinking I could do what I always do and depend on applying to as many places as I can,» said Wandell. «It became pretty clear that this time is different.»

Ask anyone who’s unemployed and they’ll tell you today’s job market is more challenging than it used to be. In the past several months, my LinkedIn social feed has been a testament to that. Laid-off professionals share posts about their agonizing battles to find employment, with job searches stretching more than a year. 

Amid signs of an economic slowdown, companies are pulling back on hiring, leaving job seekers in the lurch. Facing fierce competition for a shrinking pool of open positions, candidates are trying to master new strategies to get past AI screeners into the hands of a human recruiter. Some wait months for a response, only to be ghosted by HR departments. 

Even if official unemployment figures appear relatively low, millions of Americans are wading through this emotional and financial roller coaster. The health of the job market is measured by people’s ability to get a job, said Daniel Zhao, lead economist at the career and job search site Glassdoor. 

Hearing these experiences, I had a lot of questions. Is the job hunt miserable for everyone? Why are so many qualified and talented workers getting the silent treatment? How are folks using AI in their search? What is HR actually looking for? 

I spoke with several career specialists to gather the most straightforward advice for helping job seekers on their journey. I also compiled a list of free employment resources and upskilling platforms below. 

1. Focus on quality over quantity

Sending out hundreds of applications with the same resume might feel like the right approach but it’s not the best use of your time. 

«We find many job seekers in the market haphazardly applying to any and/or all jobs instead of targeting relevant ones,» said Chad Sowash of the Chad and Cheese Podcast, which covers recruitment technology, talent management and workforce economics. 

Instead of spending several hours applying to multiple jobs, use that time to tailor each resume toward the role you really want. Companies are becoming increasingly selective in their hiring practices so job seekers also need to be choosier about where they apply. 

«Not all positions and hiring companies will be a fit so don’t try to be all things to all people,» Sowash said. 

To narrow down your search, think about what you’re looking for in terms of work environment and responsibilities, said Sam DeMase, career expert at ZipRecruiter. «Don’t just throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks.» 

Identify the value that makes you an exceptional candidate. «If your resume is very generic and doesn’t speak to your specific superpowers, you’re not going to get as many hits as you would with a hyper-tailored resume,» DeMase said.

2. Optimize your resume for automated software

When you apply to a job online, your resume likely won’t go straight to a recruiter or hiring manager. Nearly all Fortune 500 companies use an applicant tracking system, or ATS, to process applications and dismiss candidates automatically. 

As my CNET colleague pointed out in a 2023 story on resume robots, the ATS software scans applications for a specific percentage of matching keywords, typically 70% to 80%. If there’s not a high match with the posting, your application probably won’t make it to the next stage, regardless of your qualifications.

To create an ATS-friendly resume, read the job description thoroughly and note particular keywords, phrases or skills. If the requirements accurately align with your qualifications, add them to your resume using the same language. That said, don’t go overboard. While keywords are important, stuffing your resume with too many can read as unnatural. 

Jobscan, Skillsyncer and multiple other online platforms provide free resume scanning tools geared toward optimizing your application for ATS. 

Zhao said resume keyword optimization isn’t about «beating» the computer. It’s about making sure recruiters and hiring managers see your skills and experience. 

Once you have the right balance of keywords, simplify your formatting to make it clean and concise, which helps the ATS and recruiters review your resume. Avoid using fancy headers and footers, graphics or tables, which often get garbled by the computer software. 

3. Be ready to act fast 

Set up multiple job alerts and be ready to act immediately on the openings you like the most. DeMase recommends being one of the first people to apply to the job posting so that your resume doesn’t get pushed to a later round. 

«Unfortunately, these jobs are getting posted and have more than 100 applicants within 48 hours or sooner,» said Demase. If you have multiple versions of your resume ready, you can adapt quickly. 

Just because a posting is still up after several weeks doesn’t mean the company is still reviewing applications or looking for new candidates.

4. Leverage AI, but don’t rely on it

In 2024, more than 50% of job seekers used AI to draft resumes and cover letters. While generative AI tools like ChatGPT can speed up the writing process, they tend to produce generic, impersonal content.

«One of the issues I see with job seekers who overly rely on AI is that their application ends up looking like everybody else’s who is using AI as well,» said Zhao.

To avoid the same formulaic responses, provide detailed prompts that emphasize the parts of your application that align with the job description and make your background and experience unique. For example, you can ask the chatbot to review your cover letter and suggest ways to make it more compelling based on your abilities and interests.

«It’s important for people to think about how their resume distinguishes them, how their skill set, even if it’s nontraditional, might give them a different perspective than other people in the candidate pool,» Zhao said. 

5. Network strategically

Even in today’s digital age, networking remains incredibly powerful for landing a job, especially considering that many roles aren’t advertised online but filled through referrals. 

If you’re new to networking, start reaching out to the people around you: family and friends, alumni and former co-workers. Ask them if they know anyone in a career field that interests you or works at a company you’re curious about. 

«Folks can go quiet after a layoff, because there’s a deep sense of shame, particularly in our society, where so much of our identity is associated with our work and our productivity,» said Lisa Countryman-Quiroz, CEO of JVS Bay Area, a workforce development nonprofit. «It’s important to fight through that, tap into your network and let people know you’re looking.» 

Instead of just requesting a job or connection, actively engage in conversations, ask thoughtful questions, share your own insights and look for ways to offer value, said DeMase. Sending out a handful of personalized emails will get you farther than dozens of generic copy-and-paste notes.

6. Build additional skills

Showcasing competitive skills like data analysis, digital collaboration and AI tool expertise is crucial in today’s job market. Instead of prioritizing traditional credentials like education, 76% of employers put greater value on actual work experience and demonstrated abilities, even if you’re self-taught.

«You can make yourself stand out by indicating the different things you’ve learned on your own and how that could apply to that employer,» said Countryman-Quiroz.

Free online courses, such as LinkedIn Learning or IBM SkillsBuild, can help you learn valuable skills or even obtain official certification. Local colleges and community centers frequently provide low-cost courses on anything from digital marketing to insurance licensing. 

If you’ve been unemployed for a long time, you can use courses and training to fill in the gaps on your resume, which shows that you’re proactive and self-directed.

7. Mentally prepare for ghosting

For many, the toughest part of job hunting is never hearing back. Though being ghosted by an employer or recruiter can feel incredibly personal, it’s not a reflection of your skills or qualifications. Research from LinkedIn found that almost 40% of candidates say they’re applying to more jobs than ever and hearing back less. 

There are countless reasons why HR doesn’t follow up: budget cuts, hiring freezes, internal shifts or too many applicants. You might never know the real reason. 

You can send a polite follow-up email to the hiring manager to demonstrate your continued interest, which may prompt them to respond. But try not to blame yourself or spend too much time dissecting why you didn’t hear back. 

After being ghosted following multiple interviews, Wandell started The Job Ghosting Project, a list of anonymous stories from job seekers who’ve been ignored by companies. Within a week of posting the survey, Wandell received more than 500 submissions, with responses ranging from recent grads to high-level executives.

«The goal is really just to document these patterns, validate the job seekers and push for accountability in the hiring process,» said Wandell. 

8. Set up thoughtfully for interviews

Interview prep goes beyond knowing your resume and the role. You’ll need to show why you want this specific job with this specific employer. 

Start with research. Look at the company’s recent news, press releases, social media and reviews. Understand their latest projects, challenges and competition.

Use the STAR method. Break down each requirement in the job description and connect it to a specific example from your experience. Practice structuring your answers using the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to demonstrate your impact in a clear and concise way.

Practice, practice, practice. Say your interview answers out loud, not just in your head. If possible, do a practice interview with someone you trust and get honest feedback. That can help identify awkward phrasing and make you more confident during the real thing. 

Prepare questions for the interviewer. Asking thoughtful questions of the hiring team shows your engagement and understanding of the role/company. 

9. Make the search sustainable

It’s common to feel discouraged, stressed and embarrassed when faced with rejection. «The job search is a slog and you have to make sure that you’re doing it in a sustainable manner,» said Zhao. «You can’t just apply to 100 jobs every day because you’ll burn yourself out.» 

Set clear boundaries for your job-hunting hours, schedule regular breaks and set up informal meetings to network. Focus on having a support system in place, especially with other people looking for work. Being in a group with people in the same situation can really «diminish the shame that so many feel around not being employed,» said Countryman-Quiroz. 

After joining a job-seeker support group during a previous layoff, Wandell started her own group this past year. It started with five people and it’s now grown to 50 to 100 participants. «It’s a space for people to vent but also to ask questions, network and brainstorm,» said Wandell.

Read more: Layoffs Are Happening. How to Prepare if You Think You Might Lose Your Job

Free job search platforms and upskilling resources 

We compiled a list of resources to help sharpen your skills and streamline your search.

General job boards

Industry-specific/niche job boards

  • InHerSight: Organization providing career advice and job matching specifically for women. 
  • Jobs in Logistics: Job search site for employment in logistics, supply chain, transportation, inventory management and more. 
  • The Mom Project: Resource community geared toward working mothers seeking out family-friendly companies. 
  • Recruit Military: A military-to-civilian recruiting company connecting military veterans, transitioning military service members and their spouses with employment opportunities.
  • Remote Jobs: Site curated by remote work specialist Rowena Hennigan, providing resources for remote work openings.
  • SchoolSpring: National job board for teachers and others in education. 
  • Superpath: Job board for content strategists, writers and freelance bloggers. 
  • Working Nomads: Job search site for global remote work tailored specifically toward digital working nomads.
  • VC Job Boards: Curated list of job boards featuring venture capital positions. 

Workplace development nonprofits

  • STRIVE: Offers tuition-free skills training, job readiness support and personal coaching for those seeking to improve their career prospects. 
  • NPower: Provides part-time tech skills training, including IT, cloud computing and cybersecurity, with opportunities for paid internships. 
  • Goodwill: Offers job training and employment services, career development and financial literacy programs, as well as job placement assistance. 
  • Year Up: Focuses on helping low-income young adults gain IT and business skills through paid internships and job placement. 

Upskilling 

  • Coursera: Offers courses, certificates, and degrees from top universities and companies, covering subjects like computer science, business and data science. 
  • Udemy: A vast online marketplace for courses, with options ranging from health and fitness to IT and software, and more. 
  • LinkedIn Learning: Provides courses on business, creative, and technology skills, taught by industry experts. 
  • Skillshare: A community-based platform for creative and curious people, with classes in illustration, design, photography and more. 
  • edX: Offers university-level courses from various institutions, including MIT and Harvard, covering a  range of topics. 
  • IBM SkillsBuild: Provides free access to learning materials and certifications in areas like cloud computing and AI. 
  • HubSpot Academy: Offers free courses and resources on marketing, sales and customer service. 
  • Google Skillshop: Provides free digital skills training through online learning platforms. 
  • Microsoft Learn: Offers free online training and certifications on Microsoft products.
  • freeCodeCamp: A platform for learning web development through online courses. 
  • MIT OpenCourseWare: Provides access to free MIT course materials. 
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Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for June 11, #731

Here are some hints — and the answers — for Connections for June 11, #731.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle has a pretty fun blue group, if you’ve ever chowed down on a bowl of sugary cereal. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Bragging.

Green group hint: All the same shape.

Blue group hint: Cap’n Crunch is one.

Purple group hint: College papers use these.

Answers for today’s Connections groups

Yellow group: Boast.

Green group: Arc-shaped things.

Blue group: Cereal mascots.

Purple group: Ways to denote a citation.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is boast. The four answers are bluster, crow, show off and strut.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is arc-shaped things.  The four answers are banana, eyebrow, flight path and rainbow.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is cereal mascots. The four answers are count, elves, leprechaun and rooster.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ways to denote a citation. The four answers are asterisk, dagger, number and parens.

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