The upcoming Pixel 11 Pro will introduce a new hardware notification feature named HiLight. Recent internal code found within the latest update for Google Contacts provides a clear look at how this system functions for users. The hardware, which appears as a light-emitting ring on the device, is designed to provide visual alerts while the phone remains face down.
Evidence from the latest Android app update reveals that users will have the ability to assign specific colors to individual contacts. This means that when a specific person calls, the device will pulse in a predetermined color. The configuration menu allows for a variety of color choices, including blue, cyan, green, orange, pink, purple, teal, white, and yellow.
This feature marks a return to hardware-based visual indicators that differentiate the Pro models from the rest of the product line. While marketing materials have teased multi-color animations, the current code points toward a primary focus on solid color assignments. It remains unclear if third-party applications will eventually gain access to the light system for custom alerts or if it will stay restricted to core communication tools.
Google is expected to provide full details on this functionality during the launch event scheduled for next week. Until that time, the code strings provide a snapshot of the interface expected for assigning these visual contact cues. This development suggests that Google aims to reduce the need to pick up the phone for every incoming call by providing immediate context through light signals alone.