Along with the Pixel 11 series, Google appears to be expanding its hardware ambitions. The company has previously focused on buds, smartphones, and smartwatches, but recent reports and code discoveries indicate that the brand is now planning to introduce a mix of fashion-focused wearables and new Pixel devices. The brand is now reportedly collaborating with Gucci on luxury smart glasses, as well as developing a new Pixel laptop and a unique light feature known as Pixel Glow for the upcoming devices.
According to Reuters, Google may introduce Gucci-branded smart glasses as early as next year. It is said to be part of the company’s larger Android XR initiative, which aims to provide users with stylish wearable technology. However, the report does not specify whether the device will have displays or will primarily focus on audio features.
The company has already collaborated with eyewear brands such as Gentle Monster and Warby Parker on similar products, much like Meta did with Ray Ban smart glasses.
Along with this, upcoming Android versions hint at a new hardware feature known as Pixel Glow. It was discovered in Android 17 beta builds and uses subtle lighting effects on the back of the device to alert users to activity when the phone is placed face down.
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This system will alert you to incoming calls from selected contacts and provide visual feedback as you interact with Google Gemini. Users may be able to customise or disable these effects individually. The feature is also expected to include safety warnings for light-sensitive users.
The code also indicates that Pixel Glow will not be limited to smartphones. Google is reportedly testing the feature on a new Pixel laptop. This time, the Pixelbook series could launch with a more advanced integration of AI and Android-based features. However, there is no official confirmation yet, and we may need to wait for more information.