Google’s camera bar design has been a distinguishing element of Pixel handsets going as far back as 2021’s Pixel 6 series. The full-width module not only looks clean and minimalistic, but also solves the issue of table wobble in the process. Now, a new leak suggests that the company might be upgrading the bar with new functionality for the Pixel 11 series, which is slated to arrive sometime in the fall.

The folks over at 9to5Google have uncovered references to a new light bar feature within Android Canary 2604 and Android 17 Beta 4, referred to by the software as ‘orbit,’ ‘light_animations,’ and, notably, ‘Pixel Glow.’ A description has also been uncovered, which states that the feature “uses subtle light and color on the back of your device to inform you of important activity when it’s face down.”

From this, it can be inferred that Google is working to bring LED lights to the rear of next-gen Pixel devices, perhaps surrounding the camera bar module itself. Software strings indicate that the LEDs will light up when receiving a call from specific contacts, as well as when speaking with Gemini in a hands-free manner.

Even more interestingly, 9to5Google spotted an ‘ic_laptop_light’ icon in the aforementioned latest Android preview builds, which suggests that this so-called Pixel Glow feature could eventually make its way to a next-generation Pixel laptop or tablet running Aluminum OS-based Android. There’s already precedent for this sort of thing, considering both the Chromebook Pixel and the Pixel C featured light bars of their own back in 2013 and 2015, respectively.

Brand

Google

SoC

Tensor G5

Display

6.3-inch Actua Display 1080 x 2424 pixel resolution OLED (60-120Hz)

RAM

12GB

Storage

128GB/256GB

Battery

4,970mAh

Google’s Pixel 10 features the tech giant’s new Tensor G5 chip and a three-camera setup for the first time that includes a 10.8-megapixel telephoto camera.

The return of the notification LED

But with a modern twist

I miss the days when smartphones and tablets featured dedicated notification LEDs within their front bezels. As a quick and glanceable method for indicating new messages and more, it was the perfect setup in my eyes. Luckily, there appears to be a resurgence of interest in bringing LEDs back to our modern devices, as evidenced by Nothing’s unique Glyph Interface and Matrix displays found across its hardware portfolio.

The notion that Google is gearing up to jump on this retro-futuristic bandwagon has me excited for next-gen Pixel hardware. If this so-called Pixel Glow feature ends up circling the perimeter of the Pixel 11’s camera bar, I can see it becoming an essential element of the company’s design language going forward. The Pixel’s camera bar is already iconic, and this would further solidify its icon status within the mobile landscape.

If Pixel Glow or another variant of the light bar concept eventually becomes standard across Aluminum-based Android laptops and tablets, I’ll be even happier. As a way to provide visual feedback when interacting with Gemini AI, and as a way to convey incoming notifications, RGB lights are equal parts fun and equal parts utilitarian.