A processing system including at least one processor may detect the presence of at least two users in a zone containing a network-connected device, obtain preferences and tolerance ranges of the at least two users with respect to the network-connected device, select a setting for the network-connected device in accordance with the preferences and tolerance ranges of the at least two users, and apply the setting to the network-connected device. The processing system may further detect a change of the setting, and adjust at least one of the preferences and tolerance ranges of the at least two users in response to the change of the setting.