With the Made By Google event a little over a week away, we may have learned the purpose of what appears to be the Pixel 11 smartphone series’ most significant change – that rotating ball of light within the camera bar.
Until now, the feature has been referred to by the rumoured Pixel Glow name. However, an apparent leaked promotional image of the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold ahead of the August 12 event sees the feature called “HiLight”.
The image in question, which features text in French, was posted by WinFuture’s Roland Quandt and shows the beach ball-like feature within the camera bar. The functionality is as we’ve suspected in the build up to the event – it’s a means of showcasing notifications (specifically calls, but potentially other apps too) from people you want to hear from, or to signify you’re interacting with the Gemini Live AI assistant.
The translated text reads: “Stay informed without looking at your screen. When your smartphone is turned upside down, HiLight discreetly illuminates when your favourite contacts call you or when you chat with Gemini.”
The HiLight, if that’s what it ends up being called, appears to be in the same position as the flashlight. We presume the flashlight is still functional too.
We like the idea of this as a means of limiting distractions. If it allows us to keep the phone face down while interacting with people, or simply going about the work day. In this instance, users will be able to spot important calls and get confirmation Gemini is listening when they begin an interaction.
It might not be ideal if you’re worried about scratching the display, but most folks have a screen protector and a case with a border that prevents the screen from directly contacting the surface.
Google also recently revealed a new line of Googlebook laptops made by manufacturing partners. Each of which will feature a ‘Glowbar’, which promises to be an identifying branding feature akin to Apple’s glowing logo. The precise purpose of that Glowbar has not been revealed yet, but Google has confirmed there’ll be actual functionality associated with those lights.
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