Google's Pixel Smartphones Get New Ambient Light Feature
The Pixel 11 Pro and other high-end Google smartphones have introduced a new feature called HiLight, which uses ambient LED lights to communicate with users. When a favorite contact calls and the phone is placed face down, HiLight emits a glow that serves as a visual cue to pick up the phone. This light-based communication system complements the existing Flip to Shhh feature, which silences notifications when the phone is flipped over.
HiLight also has another capability at launch: it can be used as a Gemini indicator to provide confirmation that 'Hey Google' heard a voice command. Different glow patterns are used for listening, thinking, and responding, and users can individually turn them on or off in system settings.
The feature is available on the Pixel 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold models, and Google plans to expand its capabilities in the future, including using favorite contact colors for messaging. However, it's unclear when third-party app support will arrive, if at all.