Companion apps and service software for smart devices

Rules connected products must meet

Electronics sold in India often need BIS registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme, wireless devices need equipment type approval for their radio modules, and some telecom and networked equipment falls under mandatory testing and certification. E-waste rules place extended producer responsibility on manufacturers and importers. The companion app and cloud also handle personal data, so the DPDP Act applies to owner accounts, usage history and location.

Export markets add cybersecurity requirements. The EU's Radio Equipment Directive now includes cybersecurity rules for internet-connected radio products, and the Cyber Resilience Act will extend obligations to most products with digital elements. The UK bans universal default passwords on consumer connected products. This is general information, not legal advice; certification bodies and counsel should confirm requirements per market.

• Give every device unique credentials, never a shared default password.
• Sign firmware and verify signatures before installing updates.
• Publish how long devices will receive security updates.
• Provide a way for researchers to report vulnerabilities.
• Collect only the telemetry you need, with owner consent.
• Register products and report compliance under e-waste rules.

Integration challenges for connected devices

Owners expect devices to work with the ecosystems they already use. Voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Home require certified skills or actions and account linking, and the Matter standard promises interoperability across smart home platforms but adds its own certification and testing. Each integration multiplies the combinations of phone, app version, firmware and network that must be tested.

After-sales systems need connecting too. Warranty registration should accept purchases from your own store, Amazon, Flipkart and retail partners, service tickets must link to device serial numbers and firmware versions, and spare parts availability affects repair times. When the app, cloud, CRM and service partner systems share device identity, support becomes faster and cheaper.

App store releases and firmware releases also need coordination, since a new app feature may depend on firmware that only part of the installed base has received. Feature flags and capability checks keep older devices working smoothly. Test every app release against the oldest firmware still in use.

Where AI fits in consumer electronics

Device telemetry can predict failures, such as a compressor or battery degrading, and prompt service before the product stops working. Smart features use patterns in usage data, for example adjusting air conditioner schedules to save energy. Support assistants that read device status and error codes can walk owners through fixes, and analysis of reviews and support tickets reveals design problems to fix in the next model.

On-device AI keeps sensitive data such as voice or camera input local, which helps privacy and works without a network. Whatever the approach, explain clearly what data is collected and why, because trust in connected products disappears quickly after a privacy scare. Make telemetry settings easy to find.