Google is making Pixel HiLight slightly more useful

Google is adding a new feature to its underwhelming HiLight light on the back of Pixel 11 Pro phones: as part of the November 2026 Pixel Drop, the light can light up when you get Google Messages texts from your favorite contacts. Sure, it’s a small addition to the disappointing ways you could use HiLight at the Pixel 11 Pro’s August launch, which included glowing when you used Gemini and lighting up for calls from your favorite contacts. But it’s something!

Fortunately, that’s not everything included in the Pixel Drop, as there are a bunch of other new features coming to a wider range of Pixel devices. The “Create My Widget” feature to build a custom widget with a prompt is rolling out to Pixel 11 and Pixel 10 phones.