Google’s Pixel hardware event is really about software

Later this week, Google is expected to unveil a bevy of new products: phones, a smart home hub, a Wi-Fi router and possibly more. It's all stuff you can touch and pick up -- objects made of atoms.

But don't let the hype around the new hardware fool you. The launch event, taking place in San Francisco on Tuesday, isn't really about hardware. As is almost everything Google does, this is firmly about code.

Think of hardware, whether it's the rumored Pixel phone or the previously unveiled Google Home speaker, as the physical gateway into the company's software, which can't exist on its own. That's how Google makes money -- by using software to collect your data, which advertisers covet. These products ensure that once you wrap yourself with Google software, you stay that way.

Google is expected to unveil a new 4k Chromecast.

Samsung to Note 7 owners: Here's an extra $100 for your phone

 Turn in your phone for an extra $100

Samsung really, really wants you to turn in your Galaxy Note 7.

The Korean electronics titan said it will give $100 in credit at "carrier or retail

 outlets" to customers who turn in their Note 7 for another Samsung phone,

starting Thursday afternoon

The offer comes after Samsung and the US Consumer Product Safety

Commission once again issued a recall for the Galaxy Note 7 -- including

for replacement units. Two days earlier, Samsung confirmed that it had

killed off the Note 7 and warned consumers to power down and turn in

 their phones.

"The Galaxy Note 7 recall has proven to be a real challenge for Samsung.

 I am very concerned that consumers who exchanged their phones for

replacement Galaxy Note 7s are now at risk again," CPSC Chairman

 Elliot Kaye said in a statement.