-
Elyse Betters
US News editor
Elyse began her career in journalism in 2006 as a reporter at several regional New York State newspapers and magazines, including the Press-Republican, North Country Scene, and Malone Telegram, where she covered a range of beats, from local politics to business. She graduated from The University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in multimedia journalism, and shortly after that, she moved to New York City and stumbled into tech journalism. She worked at both 9to5Mac and 9to5Google as a copy editor at first and then as a reporter. During this time, she also contributed to other news websites, such as the BBC, and she graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree in writing from The New School in Manhattan. She joined Pocket-lint in 2013 and currently serves as a US-based contributing writer, focusing on tech news and features. She also works as an editor at CBS Interactive. When she isn't working, she can be found renovating her 100-year-old country house in upstate New York with her husband, two Russian Blue cats, and a Husky.
Twitter: @elysebetters
Latest articles from Elyse
Amazon just hiked the price of Prime for US customers by 20 per cent
Billionaire Jeff Bezos wants even more of your hard-earned money.His company, Amazon, has revealed it will increase the annual cost of a Prime membership in the US. It will cost $119 a year, a 20-per cent increase from the previous $99 price. This change... Read more
Apple's iTunes desktop app has arrived in the Microsoft Store
Those of you running Windows 10 S will be glad to hear that Apple has finally brought iTunes to the Microsoft Store.At its Build 2017 conference, Microsoft revealed Apple was planning to bring its iTunes desktop app to the Microsoft Store. It might not... Read more
Microsoft is making a 'Windows 10 Lean' for devices with less storage
Microsoft is making yet another edition of Windows 10.Microsoft has a twice-yearly update schedule for its Windows 10 operating system. The next update, called Spring Creators Update, is due this spring. But it also offers different editions of Windows... Read more
New Snap Spectacles 2018: Everything you need to know
Snap, the company behind the popular Snapchat app, has announced a new pair of smart glasses which are - even just looking at the basic details - a far better attempt at creating some smart glasses.Called Spectacles, they're the second version of a product... Read more
What is Fitbit Pay, how does it work, and which banks support it?
Fitbit makes fitness trackers, and now, a full-fledged smartwatch that you can make payments with, thanks to a service called Fitbit Pay.Originally launched on the Fitbit Ionic - check out our full Fitbit Ionic review - and now on the Fitbit Versa,... Read more
Snappables: How to use Snap's new lenses with built-in AR games
Snapchat has updated again!Seriously, at this point, it seems like the app pushes out new features and changes its core functionality every other week. The latest example is a new type of lenses called Snappables. These are designed to let you play augmented... Read more
Gmail 2018 update: All the new features and how to get them now
Google has rolled out a massive update to Gmail.The update, which is primarily for the web version of Google's email service, brings new security and artificial intelligence features. Here's everything that's new, and if you want to start playing with... Read more
What is Amazon Music Unlimited and how does it work?
Amazon Music Unlimited is performing rather well. MIDiA says it's the third largest music streaming service after Spotify and Apple Music, with around 16 million subscribers. Here's everything you need to know about Amazon Music Unlimited, including... Read more
How to download and view your Instagram data report
Facebook is making sure you can access your data across all its apps.The social network already let you download your data archive, but now, you can also download your data from WhatsApp and Instagram, both of which it owns. To learn how to download your... Read more
How to download and view your WhatsApp data report
WhatsApp is allowing users to download and view the data it collects.The Facebook-owned service is announcing this feature ahead of the European data privacy rules that go into effect 25 May, as well as in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal.... Read more
You now have to be 16 or older to use WhatsApp in Europe
If you live in Europe and let your kids use WhatsApp to communicate with friends and family, that's about to change. 15 secret WhatsApp tricks you might not know about Facebook-owned WhatsApp is banning anyone under 16 years old from using the app in... Read more
What are Amazon Key and In-Car Delivery and how do they work?
Have you ever had a package stolen from your doorstep?It can happen to anyone. There's not much you can do when you've ordered something to be delivered to your home and it arrives when you're not there, whether that's because you're at work or walking... Read more
7 essential iOS 11 features for students on iPad
Apple's iOS 11 software was a major update when it arrived last Autumn. It was more geared towards the iPad than any previous release of iOS. If you're a student, this feature outlines why it can transform your iPad experience at home and in class. What's... Read more
Here's what we're expecting from Spotify's launch event today
Spotify is holding an event today at which it will talk about "what's next" with its mobile app and wider music streaming service. The event will take place at 9am EST, that's 2pm BST and 3pm CEST. Since the company invited the media to its upcoming... Read more
What is IFTTT and how does it work?
The internet is a wonderful thing chock-full of fun and useful experiences, but it can also complicate our lives.With so many websites and apps in the world, you've probably experienced difficulty in managing them or even completing basic tasks. Luckily... Read more
Samsung's AR Emoji might be used for video chatting in the future
It looks like Samsung had bigger plans for AR Emoji.The company recently launched AR Emoji with its latest devices. Initially, everyone figured Samsung was just copying Apple's Animoji. But even Apple sort of lifted the idea from Snapchat, which has long... Read more
It's finally happening! Amazon is working on a robot for your home
Does Amazon want to make Rosey the robot a reality?It is reportedly developing a home robot - and we can't help but think about The Jetsons. According to Bloomberg, which described the yet-to-be-announced effort as "top-secret", Amazon's robot project... Read more
Apple might debut iPhone SE 2 in May with no headphone jack
The next iPhone SE could arrive this spring.After talking to iPhone case manufacturers at the Global Sources Mobile Electronics trade-show, Japanese blog Macotakara claimed Apple is making a second-generation iPhone SE, with plans to announce the device... Read more
Yes, you can buy Nintendo Labo Toy-Con replacement parts
Nintendo is allowing you to buy replacement parts for Nintendo Labo.The company just released Nintendo Labo, its crazy cardboard accessory lineup for the Nintendo Switch console. Nintendo Labo transforms the Switch's display and controllers into other... Read more
Uh-oh! LG might not be able to make Apple's 2018 iPhone OLED screens
Some units of the next iPhone are expected to feature LG-made displays, but according to a new report, that might not actually happen.LG Display is supposedly increasing its OLED screen production capabilities in order to secure orders for Apple's 2018... Read more
Alexa Announcements now in the UK: How to broadcast your voice to all your Echos
"Alexa, tell everyone it's time to go!" Wouldn't it be nice if Alexa could help you hurry your family along or maybe announce that dinner is ready?Now, families with Echo devices in their home can do just that, thanks to a new "Alexa Announcements" feature... Read more
Meet Daisy, Apple's new robot that recycles 200 iPhones in an hour
Apple has a new recycling robot.Named Daisy, it can tear apart nine different versions of the iPhone in order to recover certain materials inside. This new robot is technically a successor to Liam, another recycling robot made by Apple. Liam was revealed... Read more
Tim Cook: Apple won't water down iOS and MacOS by merging them
Tim Cook just curb-stomped an Apple rumour.In December, Bloomberg echoed long-existing rumours when it claimed Apple wanted to merge iOS and MacOS apps sometime in 2018 so that developers could create a single app that'd run across both operating systems.... Read more
Hurry! Ancestry.com's AncestryDNA test is 40% off
DNA-testing kits are so popular that even South Park's mocking them.Still, they're awfully fun and easy to use. Ancestry.com, for instance, has its own DNA kit, which we've tried and found to be an incredibly interesting experience. AncestryDNA is... Read more
How to create custom Amazon Alexa skills without any coding knowledge
Amazon has opened up its Alexa platform so that anyone - and we mean absolutely anyone - can create a custom Alexa skill.Skills are Alexa apps that provide Amazon's assistant with additional features. For instance, there's a popular Jeopardy! skill, which,... Read more
Apple might launch new iPhones well before its usual autumn event
Well, it looks like Apple has been real busy.According to filings pulled from the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) database, which were spotted by French website Consomac, Apple has a bunch of unreleased iPhone models with the model numbers A1920, A1921,... Read more
VW will install fast chargers for EVs at 100 US Walmart stores by 2019
Next year, when you need to charge your EV, go to Walmart.The big-box retailer probably wouldn't be your first choice, but VW's subsidiary, Electrify America, has announced it is installing (PDF) electric vehicle chargers at more than 100 Walmart stores... Read more
Amazon reveals number of Prime subscribers for the first time
Amazon, for the first time, has revealed how many people subscribe to Prime, and it came close to revealing the same for Amazon Music.The company, which just released its annual shareholder letter, said the subscription service has 100 million paid members... Read more
Call of Duty Alexa skill uses AI to offer personalised training
Alexa has a new skill that's just for COD players.You can now ask Amazon's voice assistant how well you played in your last Call of Duty: WWII match. Activision has launched a new skill for the franchise. Available in beta, it uniquely uses artificial... Read more
Nintendo Labo for Nintendo Switch: Everything you need to know including how the cardboard Toy-Cons work
In a couple of weeks Nintendo will release Nintendo Labo, its crazy, inventive new cardboard accessories for the Nintendo Switch.The Nintendo Switch is a games console designed to work both at home and when out and about. The main unit can be inserted onto a... Read more
Amazon made a web browser app for Android called... Internet
Amazon owns the Internet.Literally. It's launched a new web browser app for Android, and it's called Internet. The app went live in Google Play Store in March, but Amazon never publicly announced the product, so it went unnoticed until TechCrunch spotted... Read more
How to solve Amazon Echo mic problems
Amazon Alexa is fun to use... when she can hear you.If you own an Echo device, especially one of the original models, you've likely noticed that Alexa picks up your voice when she feels like it. You can yell all you want, and Amazon's assistant will still... Read more
Apple might launch a subscription news service within the next year
Apple wants you to pay it for access to news, according to a new report.Bloomberg reported that Apple’s recent acquisition of Texture, which has been called the "Netflix of magazines", was all part of a plan, in which Apple is attempting to create... Read more
What is Android Things and when will the first devices arrive?
Google makes operating systems, and Android Things is the latest example, designed to power lightweight - but not dumb - devices from smart displays to kitchen appliances. Google now makes a bunch of operating systems. Android powers smartphones and... Read more
Anker's EverCam is a wireless, splashproof security cam with AI
Anker-owned Eufy just launched a Kickstarter for a security camera.Called EverCam, it's a water-resistant, HD-recording device pitched as a wireless indoor or outdoor home security camera. It doesn't need to be plugged into a wall outlet or even be mounted... Read more
Philips Hue lights are now fully integrated with Hive devices
Hive has added a new smart lighting product to its lineup, but, more interestingly, it's announced that Philips Hue lightbulbs are now fully integrated with its connected platform.The company's new lights are the HiveLight Dimmable GU10 spotlights. They're... Read more
Apple Watch might soon have access to third-party watch faces
Raise your hand if you don't want Mickey Mouse on your Apple Watch.Apple's smartwatch is a few years old at this point, and yet, it still doesn't support third-party watch faces. In other words, developers aren't allowed to create their own watch face... Read more
Is your iPhone storage full? Here's how to free up space on iPhone
Here's how to free up storage space on your iPhone: delete stuff.Kidding. Kinda. But, whether you do own an old 16GB iPhone or a new 256GB iPhone, there are ways you can save space and avoid getting those stupid error messages about not having enough... Read more
Want to see the iPhone X in gold? Here you go, thanks to the FCC
Earlier today, Apple sent a memo to its employees warning them not to leak, but it should probably worry more about the US FCC.A filing from Apple at the Federal Communications Commission has revealed a yet-to-be-released gold iPhone X. Because the confidentiality... Read more
ESPN+: How does it work, what does it offer, and how much is it?
ESPN+ is finally here.Disney's latest product is a direct-to-consumer subscription video service for all you MLB and NHL sports fans. There’s no separate app to install on your device; it's all within the redesigned ESPN app that's now available. Here's... Read more
Google Fuchsia OS: What's the story so far?
Google has been developing an entirely new operating system that's currently capable of running on its high-end Pixelbook.But here's the thing: it's unclear at the moment what this operating system is intended for, including what devices it might one... Read more
Amazon slashes price of Ring Video Doorbell now that it owns Ring
Amazon has finalised its purchase of Ring, a maker of smart doorbells and outdoor security cameras, and as a result, it's cutting some prices.The first-generation Ring Video Doorbell now costs $100 (roughly £89), down from about $150 on Amazon and $179... Read more
Motorola's latest Moto Mod is an affordable stereo speaker
There's a new Moto Mod accessory available, and although it's yet another speaker, it happens to be the most affordable speaker mod. Motorola's Moto Mod accessory line has continued to grow since it was launched a couple years ago. The latest addition... Read more
Instagram data portability tool will let you download a copy of your data
Facebook-owned Instagram has confirmed a new feature it'll soon launch: a data portability tool.Facebook, the social network, offers a similar tool that allows users to download an archive of all their data on Facebook. You can read about that tool from... Read more
Zuckerberg goes to DC: 9 ridiculous moments from the hearings
Mark Zuckerberg has survived hours of questioning from members of Congress. And if there's one takeaway from the whole thing, it's that US lawmakers seem to know very little about how the internet works.The hearings were to be a crucial moment for Facebook,... Read more
Snap Spectacles 2.0: New pair of Spectacles pop up in FCC filing
It's official: Snap has developed a new pair of smart glasses.Documents published by the US Federal Communications Commission, and spotted by Variety, describe a “wearable video camera” made by Snap. The device has "Spectacles" branding and "Model... Read more
Mark Zuckerberg dodges monopoly questions, suggests Facebook won't always be free
Earlier, Pocket-lint tried to come up with some Facebook alternatives...And then, it occurred to us that there are no competitors at the same scale. If you have a job where you manage a Facebook brand page or group, you need a Facebook account. And if... Read more
What is HQ Trivia and how to play?
HQ Trivia has exploded in popularity in the past few months.With millions of people using the popular live game show, it's clear the mobile app, which was founded by the co-creators of Vine, is here to stay. So, here are your answers to some to the most... Read more
Will Google launch this Android TV dongle and Assistant remote in May?
Google might launch an Android TV player that you can control by voice.When Google shut down Google TV a few years ago, it replaced the platform with something completely different: Android TV. It is easy to operate, can be controlled via voice, and has... Read more
How to blacklist news sources in Apple News on iOS devices
Apple's News app for iOS devices shows a tonne of publications by default, some of which you may hate.If you're like us and wish you could mute - or blacklist, so to speak - certain publications, you'll be glad to know it's really easy. So, if you're... Read more