Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Brings a New Hardware Feature: HiLight

When Google announced the Pixel 11 series last week, it showcased a new ‘upgrade’ for its Pro devices, including the Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The ‘HiLight’ feature is a small light circle that rests on the camera bar of these Pro Pixels, designed to passively alert users to notifications while their phones are face down. The color that glows is up to the user, but the core idea remains the same: if HiLight glows, it’s because someone is calling or Gemini is processing a request.

Source: lifehacker.com

Unfortunately, there’s nothing else HiLight can do out of the box, which seems like a significant missed opportunity for a brand-new hardware feature. Google aims to encourage customers to spend more for a Pro device, only to give them two things to do with this Pixel 11 Pro exclusive. While assigning contacts different colors can be useful for silently knowing who’s calling without needing to pick up the Pixel, there are numerous other possibilities for HiLight that the current iteration feels underbaked.

HiLight Studio: Unlocking the Full Potential of Pixel 11 Pro’s HiLight Feature

Enter HiLight Studio, a new app from developer DhananjayBhosale. This innovative app takes full advantage of Google’s new hardware, even if Google isn’t taking advantage itself. With HiLight Studio, users can assign colors and effects for notifications from any app on their Pixel, not just contacts. Chrome alerts can be blue, WhatsApp alerts can be green, and so on. Additionally, users can choose any shade of any color that Android allows, down to saturation and intensity levels.

The app also offers five lighting effects that go beyond choosing a solid color: ‘Rainbow,’ ‘Comet,’ ‘Pulse,’ ‘Breathe,’ and ‘Wave,’ plus ‘Random’ for a surprising twist. These effects can be applied to alerts, making them more engaging and interactive. Users can choose how long the colors and effects stay on for after each notification and when to prevent HiLight from activating. This includes options like while the screen is off, during Do Not Disturb, or when the battery hits a designated percentage.

One of the most exciting features of HiLight Studio is its ability to save and export presets to other apps. Users can also access their settings through a Quick Settings tile, making it easy to customize their HiLight experience. However, it’s essential to note that HiLight Studio is not an app that can be downloaded from the Play Store. Instead, users need to install the APK from GitHub, which requires shell-level access to the Pixel’s lights service.

This involves setting up through Shizuku or ADB, which may seem daunting for some users. However, DhanajayBhosale has provided instructions for each method, and fortunately, there’s no need to root the Pixel for this to work. While the process may be more technical than a simple app download, the benefits of HiLight Studio make it well worth the effort.

With HiLight Studio, users can finally unlock the full potential of their Pixel 11 Pro’s HiLight feature. This innovative app brings a new level of customization and interaction to notifications, making it a must-have for anyone with a Pixel 11 Pro. By taking full advantage of Google’s new hardware, HiLight Studio proves that even the most underbaked features can be turned into something truly remarkable.

As we continue to explore the possibilities of HiLight Studio, one thing becomes clear: this app is a game-changer for Pixel 11 Pro users. By providing a level of customization and interaction that was previously unavailable, HiLight Studio opens up new possibilities for how we interact with our notifications. Whether you’re a power user or just someone looking to take their Pixel 11 Pro experience to the next level, HiLight Studio is an app that’s definitely worth checking out.