Since 1995, CNET has watched as slow and expensive personal computers connected to (slow and expensive) dot-matrix printers gave way to wicked-fast laptops, Wi-Fi networks and smartphones — putting everyone just a touchscreen away from the Internet. We live today in a hyperconnected world. CNET this summer celebrates 20 years of covering tech. So for …

“I want a smart home that doesn’t make me feel stupid dealing with a million remotes and gadgets and electric cords,” says Sofia Vergara. “It’s all about simplifying my life.” Peter Hurley Sofia Vergara, who plays a homemaker in the hit TV sitcom “Modern Family,” admits she’s not the savviest tech user. But as a founding member of Latin World …

Las Vegas — Dish Networks, which has made headlines in recent months over contract disputes with high-profile content providers, is expected to draw attention back to its satellite-TV service by unveiling new products at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. CNET’s live blog of Dish Networks 2015 CES press conference The third-largest US pay-TV service, Dish may introduce …

Chinese mobile devices maker Xiaomi is many things, says former Google executive Hugo Barra who this month celebrates his first anniversary as vice president of the Beijing-based company. But it’s no copycat. “I think it’s great that Apple took existing ideas that were very good and added their design twist on top,” said Xiaomi vice president Hugo Barra. “That’s what …

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says the new Surface tablet is part of a “journey of improvement” at the world’s largest software maker. Connie Guglielmo/CNET RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. — Microsoft’s Satya Nadella said he’d rather build “something big” than make a large acquisition, thinks the new 12-inch Surface Pro tablet could replace laptops in today’s “post, post-PC era” and said …