The Pixel 11 Pro's best feature is broken; Google already has the tools to fix it

The Google Pixel 11 Pro is here, and with it comes the return of a classic Android feature: notification lights. HiLight is a touch more interesting than the flashing LEDs of phones like the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. Or is it?

At launch, HiLight has limited functionality, but it's a flagship feature of the Pixel 11 Pro lineup. There's a lot it is capable of, so if I could turn HiLight from a gimmick into something actually useful, this is how.

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Posts 12
By  Rita El Khoury

What HiLight can do now

In short, very little

Currently, HiLight has two features. It can notify you when Gemini is speaking, listening, or working, and it can alert you when a favorite contact is calling.

Not exactly groundbreaking stuff, even if it is technically useful. I'm still not convinced that limiting access to favorite contacts is a good thing, as I regularly get important texts from people I rarely contact (for example, my plumber).

However, some important subtleties to these features show how HiLight can be useful

First, HiLight is integrated with Phone by Google and WhatsApp. This is huge, as it confirms that the feature is compatible with third-party apps.

Second, Gemini shows how the feature is more than a simple multicolored LED. It can pulse, slowly change between colors, and fade. This immediately gives it more versatility than Nothing's iconic Glyph lights.

I expect Google will add more functionality through its Pixel Feature Drops, but it's holding its cards close to its chest for now. But here's what I hope for.

Expanded third-party app access is exactly what HiLight needs

WhatsApp can't be the only app

I use WhatsApp for nearly all my calls and texts, so I'm overjoyed to see HiLight integration.

So many Android features are limited by the manufacturer's refusal to allow third-party access at first, so I'm happy to see it immediately, even if it is limited to WhatsApp for now.

However, there's so much potential for third-party apps and existing utilities. For example:

• Uber alerting you that your ride has arrived
• Camera countdown
• Do Not Disturb indicator
• The same WhatsApp integration for all messaging apps
• Calendar reminders
• Google Home alerts
• Charging progress
• Guitar tuner
• eBay bidding alerts
• Download progress

I especially like the idea of a charging tracker. Either HiLight slowly changes from red to green, or it lights from the bottom up.

The same concept can be applied to anything that involves tracking progress, like file downloads.

A camera countdown also feels like an obvious feature. Syncing the light with the countdown feature built into my Pixel's camera app would be great, as there's currently no visual indicator when it takes a photograph with flash disabled.

But at the end of the day, what I really want is greater integration with my Pixel's utilities.

Google doesn't need third-party developers to make HiLight more useful

It has plenty of tools to play with already

While opening the door to third-party developers would be fun and useful, I first want Google to sort out integration with its own apps and services.

Take Recorder, for example. I love the recording app, but I always place my phone face down during interviews to avoid distractions. However, there's no confirmation that my phone is still recording.

HiLight could turn a soft red when the Recorder app is recording. Simple.

Basic Android features like charging levels and notifications could be easily ported to HiLight. And what about those features we take for granted, like timers?

I use Google Wallet on my Pixel to pay. What about a simple green light to confirm the payment has gone through or a red light if there's an error?

HiLight is a gimmick, but it could be so much more useful

Just because it's unnecessary doesn't mean it can't be useful

Nobody needs HiLight. However, it could be much better than it currently is. Even if Google controls third-party access, it could make HiLight into a feature we want.

However, I understand the limitations of HiLight. While the color and light level controls enable serious utility, it's still a single, small, circular light.

One of the advantages of Glyph Lights is that it consists of multiple light bars of different shapes. Even a shape as simple as a bar increases utility as it makes it easier to track information like charging levels.

I expect that HiLight will become more useful over time, but it is still hamstrung by the limited space available. Perhaps we'll see the hardware elements of HiLight expanded in future Android phones.

The Pixel 11 Pro is a device that will grow over time

I'm unimpressed by the Pixel 11 Pro's capabilities at launch, but I expect that by next year it'll be a worthwhile device.

Gemini Intelligence and HiLight are its two flagship features, but they haven't proven themselves yet. But over time, and with plenty of updates, I could see them turning into the features we wanted them to be at launch.