To complicate matters, Google’s new hardware feature, HiLight – an LED notification light at the back of the phone – has significant limitations. Upon launch, it only indicates who is calling (provided you recall the assigned color for the caller) and alerts you when Google Gemini is actively listening. That’s the extent of its functionality.
Luke Baker
It’s surprising that Google hasn’t adopted a more advanced backlight notification system like Nothing’s Glyph Light. If you assumed the limitations of HiLight were due to software constraints, you might be disappointed. A hack has demonstrated that the HiLight can offer more features than currently available.
This raises the question: why didn’t Google fully utilize this capability from the start? Has Google deprioritized hardware innovation? Regrettably, the answer appears to be affirmative.
The big AI gamble
While Google’s hardware performance this generation leaves much to be desired, their software achievements tell a different story. During the unveiling of Android 17, I was impressed by how Gemini could autonomously perform app actions for users.
Even minor enhancements like Pause Point seemed like thoughtful updates that resonated with what users expect from a smartphone in 2026. This indicates where Google’s current priorities lie.
Google has invested enormous resources into its AI and the Gemini platform, making a shift in focus improbable. The company must either commit to perfecting its AI or face a potential defeat with significant implications for the tech sector. This challenging situation is partly attributable to the strategic decisions that have led Google to neglect its hardware.
