Certain embodiments are directed to techniques (e.g., a device, a method, a memory or non-transitory computer readable medium storing code or instructions executable by one or more processors) for communication techniques between an electronic device (e.g., a smart speaker, a smart TV, a smart appliance, etc.) and one or more mobile devices (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a wearable device etc.). Techniques can vary the rate the mobile device responds to ranging messages from the smart speaker based on one or more factors. These factors can include a state of the mobile device (e.g., awake or asleep), mobile device orientation (e.g., face down), application state (e.g., music App active), motion of the mobile device (e.g., at rest for period of time), and a range (distance/angle) between the mobile device and the speaker to conserve battery life. The range to the electronic device can activate one or more smart speaker features on the mobile device.