Pixel 11 Pro's glowing light now flashes for texts from favorite contacts

The glowing light on Google's Pixel 11 Pro, Pro XL and Pro Fold now flashes when someone you picked as a preferred contact sends a text in Google Messages. Google announced the change Tuesday in a Pixel Drop, its name for a software update that adds features to its phones.

What changed

The light is called HiLight. It launched as a Pro-only feature, and it was limited. It could glow in one of five colors for calls from preferred contacts, or show a color swirl for Gemini, Google's assistant. Texts were not covered. Now they are, so a glance at the phone can tell you whether someone important wrote to you.

The reviewer at CNET called the launch half-baked. Third-party apps offered more colors and app-specific settings. Google reps said at the Pixel 11 launch that HiLight will keep getting new features.

Also in the update

• Rambler, which improves voice dictation, comes to last year's Pixel 10.
• Gemini Intelligence also reaches the Pixel 10. It offers suggestions based on what is on your screen, such as a Google Maps link during dinner plans.
• Google Fi, Google's phone service, is adding multi-network support to improve cellular connections.
• The Pixel Tag item tracker is set to be released Wednesday.

What is not known yet

The material does not say whether HiLight will ever light up for email or other app notifications. CNET hopes it will, but Google has not promised it. Details on how to turn on the text alerts were also not given.