“Connected device” is the broadest everyday label for hardware that talks to a network. It covers smartphones and laptops as well as thermostats, trackers and industrial controllers. In IoT discussions it usually points to products whose main purpose is something other than computing, such as a washing machine or a streetlight, which gain reporting and remote control through their connection.
Connectivity changes a product’s obligations as much as its features. A device that can be reached can also be attacked, so regulations such as the Cyber Resilience Act and the PSTI Act now set baseline requirements for any connected product sold in their markets. It also needs a way to receive an OTA update and a plan for what happens when the manufacturer stops supporting it, both of which belong to the device lifecycle.
Part of the IoT Glossary. Spotted an error or a missing term? Tell us.