● Covered by 2 sources · 7 reportsMedium impact2 negative3 neutral2 positive
Pixel 11 Pro Series Introduces HiLight LED for Call and Gemini Notifications
Key points
- HiLight is an ambient LED array on Pixel 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold.
- It provides visual cues for incoming calls from favorite contacts.
- Users can assign one of five colors to favorite contacts for calls.
- HiLight also acts as an indicator for the Gemini assistant.
- It works with Phone by Google and WhatsApp for call notifications.
- HiLight is designed to reduce phone usage.
- HiLight has limited functionality at launch.
- HiLight has only two functions at launch.
- Dhananjay_Tech developed the HiLight Studio app.
- HiLight Studio allows custom colors, patterns, and triggers for notifications.
- HiLight Studio allows control of timing, brightness, intensity, and saturation.
- HiLight Studio offers eight preselected colors or a classic color slider.
- HiLight Studio lets users import and export presets.
- HiLight Studio allows per-app customization with granular settings.
- HiLight Studio can keep HiLight active all the time.
- HiLight Studio requires sideloading and Shizuku for setup.
- HiLight diffuser makes the Pixel 11 Pro's flashlight weaker.
- The flashlight on Pixel 11 Pro is worse than previous models and competitors.
Introduction of HiLight on Pixel 11 Pro Series
Google has introduced a new hardware feature called HiLight on its Pixel 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold devices. This feature consists of an array of ambient LED lights positioned around the camera flash, designed to provide visual notifications when the phone is placed face down.
Functionality for Incoming Calls
One primary function of HiLight is to serve as a visual cue for incoming calls from favorite contacts. Users can assign one of five available colors to specific contacts through the Google Contacts app. When a favorite contact calls, the HiLight glows with the chosen color, complementing the existing Flip to Shhh feature. This functionality is integrated with the Phone by Google app and WhatsApp.
Gemini Assistant Integration
In addition to call notifications, HiLight also acts as an indicator for the Gemini assistant. It provides visual feedback for Gemini's listening, thinking, and responding states. Users have the option to individually enable or disable this feature in the system settings.
Design and Placement
On the Pixel 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL, the HiLight array is located to the right of the camera bar. For the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, it is situated in the top-left corner. Google describes HiLight as a "glow" and has chosen colors that are visible to a wide range of users.
Updates
- HiLight diffuser makes the Pixel 11 Pro's flashlight weaker.
- The flashlight on Pixel 11 Pro is worse than previous models and competitors.
- Dhananjay_Tech developed the HiLight Studio app.
- HiLight Studio allows custom colors, patterns, and triggers for notifications.
- HiLight Studio allows control of timing, brightness, intensity, and saturation.
- HiLight Studio offers eight preselected colors or a classic color slider.
- HiLight Studio lets users import and export presets.
- HiLight Studio allows per-app customization with granular settings.
- HiLight Studio can keep HiLight active all the time.
- HiLight Studio requires sideloading and Shizuku for setup.
- HiLight is designed to reduce phone usage.
- HiLight has limited functionality at launch.
- HiLight has only two functions at launch.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Primary sources
GitHub DhananjayBhosale/hilight-studioHow outlets covered it
The Pixel 11 Pro's flashlight is significantly weaker than previous models and competing smartphones, a consequence attributed to the new "HiLight" diffuser. This reduction in brightness makes the flashlight less effective for general use, impacting a common utility for smartphone users.
A developer has created an app called "HiLight Studio" that enables full customization of the Pixel 11 Pro's "HiLight" RGB LED, a feature Google had limited to basic notifications. This development allows users to utilize the LED for various notification patterns and custom colors, expanding its utility beyond Google's initial implementation.
Developer Dhananjay_Tech released HiLight Studio, an app that allows extensive customization of the Pixel 11 Pro's HiLight notification LED, which Google's default implementation limits to five colors and two functions. The app enables users to set custom colors, patterns, and triggers for various notifications, addressing a perceived limitation of the phone's built-in feature.
Initial reviews of the Pixel 11 Pro indicate that its new HiLight feature, designed to reduce phone usage, is currently limited in functionality, while "Gemini Intelligence" is noted as a branding effort. HiLight's current capabilities do not fully meet its stated goal, impacting its immediate usefulness for most users.
The Pixel 11 Pro's new 'HiLight' feature, an LED notification system integrated into the camera flash, is limited to calls and Gemini interactions, despite its potential for dynamic visual alerts. This limitation prevents it from offering comprehensive, app-specific notifications that could enhance user experience.
Google has launched HiLight on the Pixel 11 Pro series, an ambient LED array that provides visual cues for incoming calls from favorite contacts and acts as a Gemini assistant indicator. This feature integrates with the Phone by Google app and WhatsApp for call notifications, and offers visual feedback for Gemini's listening, thinking, and responding states.
An update to Google Contacts for Android includes code strings detailing support for a new HiLight feature on the upcoming Pixel 11. This feature will allow users to assign specific "glow colors" to favorite contacts for incoming calls, with nine color options identified.