About Elyse Betters Picaro
Elyse Betters Picaro is the operations manager at Pocket-lint. She is based in Upstate New York and has written thousands of articles -- including news, how-tos, explainers, and reviews on technology and even TV and entertainment-focused content. Previously, she was a managing editor at ZDNET, and earlier in her career, she was an editor at 9to5Mac and 9to5Google. Elyse has also worked as a beat reporter at regional newspapers in New England and has freelanced for global websites such as the BBC. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in writing from The New School in Manhattan and a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
What was your first phone?
I got my first phone in 2000 when I was 13: the Nokia 3310. It was blue, came with Snake, and I'm pretty sure it was a prepaid model. Later, I switched to the Motorola i730, which had a walkie-talkie feature I could never use with anyone. By the end of high school, I was using the LG VX7000, a flip phone with a rotating selfie camera. Then, as a freshman in college in 2007, I switched from Verizon to AT&T, all so I could get my hands on the first iPhone. But, technically, I had a Zoolander-style Pantech C300 for a few months while waiting for the iPhone to come out - hey, it was free!
When did your interested in technology begin?
It's always been there. I had the first iPod, iPhone, and iPad. I had NES, Super Nintendo, N64, GameCube, PS2, Xbox 360, and Wii. I've been playing with computers since I was 4 and have used both Windows and Mac machines. I even designed and built my first websites as a preteen. And my first journalism job at 18 years old was writing a business tech column for a local newspaper.
What tech products or categories are you most passionate about?
I'm more into the software and services we use on our devices everyday, from TikTok to ChatGPT. I like diving into new features and trying the latest apps. But I also like the entertainment we consume via our devices. Movies and TV are a huge passion of mine. (I earned a screenwriting certificate while getting my MFA; I swear one day I will write that script!)
Latest Articles
Apple AirPlay 2 vs AirPlay: Differences and perks explained
AirPlay 2 improves upon Apple's original AirPlay, including multi-room audio, listening to different songs on different speakers, and more.
Bethesda's Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: Everything we know so far
Bethesda debuted the first gameplay trailer for its long-awaited game, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, plus it's teased a release window.
How to update your AirPods and AirPods Pro
AirPods and AirPods Pro may not be over-the-ear but you can still update them over-the-air.
How to watch the Spider-Man movies in chronological order
To understand what's happening with the Spider-Verse and how Spider-Man fits in the MCU, watch the web-slinger's movies in chronological order.
Rabbit R1: Everything we know about this ambitious AI assistant
Think of the R1 as a pocket assistant, but it doesn't display apps. Instead, it uses AI to do tasks, and you interact with it via voice commands.
How to watch the Star Trek movies and TV shows in order
The universe is composed of 13 films and eight TV shows. Here's how to watch them all.
How to watch the Alien (and Blade Runner) movies in order
It's pretty cool that two iconic movie monsters share the same cinematic universe. Here' the best way to watch Alien and Blade Runner movies in order.
How to directly sync Apple Watch workouts to Strava
Those of you who use an Apple Watch or iPhone with Strava can automatically sync your workouts. Here's how.
What is Apple One, how much is it, and how does it work?
Apple's all-in-one services bundle is called Apple One. Let's dive into how much it costs and what exactly is included for the price.
How to watch the Jason Bourne movies and TV show in order
The Bourne films brought the world of spycraft and CIA assassinations into the new millennium. Now, watch the movies in order.
What is Snapchat and how does it work?
Snapchat has changed a lot in the past few years. Frequent updates means the app looks and works almost nothing like it originally did.
How to watch all the Star Wars movies and shows in order
Disney+'s latest Star Wars TV series is Ahsoka. To understand what it's about and where it fits, you should watch the full Star Wars Universe.
How to stop or allow your snaps to be saved in Snapchat chats
Are you in a group chat on Snapchat and noticing your friends can't save the snaps you're sending them?
How to watch the Indiana Jones movies and TV show in order
To help you make sense of the Indiana Jones timeline, we put all his films in chronological order. We even included the TV series.
How to turn any video into a live wallpaper for your iPhone lock screen
iPhone users: You can turn your favorite videos into live wallpaper for a more interactive, lively experience in just a few steps. Here's how.
How to download Hulu shows and movies to watch offline
If you know you won't have an internet connection, here's how to download Hulu movies and shows to watch on the go.
How to customize your iPhone home screen with shortcuts and widgets
Make your iPhone feel like yours not just with a stylish case, but with the interface by creating a custom home screen.
Best Google Assistant commands: 190 funny and entertaining things to ask
Google Assistant can not only help you get things done, but it can also entertain you, especially around the holidays.
How to delete your Snapchat account (and what happens when you do)
Are you trying to delete your Snapchat account and can't figure out how? It's actually fairly simple, so let's walk you through the steps so you can get rid of Snap and move on with your day.
How to hide your Instagram online status
Instagram shows when you are online or you were last active, but you might want to hide it. Here is how to turn off online status and hide activity.