Pixel Phones Focus on Software, Ignore Hardware Innovation

Google has released its latest Pixel series phones, but the company is prioritizing software and AI features over hardware innovation. The new Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro XL are largely unchanged from their predecessors in terms of design, with the same familiar aesthetics and no major design changes.

The devices do come with some new features, including a notification light called HiLight that works with Gemini and calls. However, this feature is limited and lacks customization options, making it feel like a gimmick rather than a useful tool.

One of the standout AI-powered features on the Pixel 11 series is Rambler, a dictation tool that can automatically remove filler words and clean up speech as you continue talking. This feature has won over the reviewer, who finds it useful and interesting.