Think of Apple and you think of iPhones, iPads and lots of other things with that little ‘i’ in front of them. But you don’t automatically think of electronic cigarettes.
That could all be about to change though, if information gleaned from a patent application is anything to go by. The filing occurred in June last year and the United States Patent and Trademark Office released the patent on 26th January 2017. Very little information is given other than the patent is for a vaporiser that aims to change a substance into a vapour at a high temperature. Does that sound like an e-cigarette to you?
The idea behind the patent is to create a product that can vaporise something far more efficiently than is currently the case. When you vape an e-liquid, for example, not all the liquid will be converted into a vapour you can inhale. Some of that liquid is given over to the cooling process. Now, while there is no mention of electronic cigarettes in the patent, it is interesting to speculate on what this might mean for the vaping industry.
If Apple did make progress with their patent and they did deliver a method of vaping that made the most of every drop of e-liquid used, this would transform the industry as we know it. In fact, if Apple did make inroads into this market (which is by no means certain), it would undoubtedly be the biggest player around.
Yet it is also possible Apple has something else in mind for this patent. It is only by joining the dots that we come up with the possibility of them entering the vaping market with a new vaporiser. But this market is a growing one, and it would be no surprise if Apple was the latest entrant.
If they did enter the market, there is every chance it could be at a higher price point than many would be prepared to pay. Think of their iPhones and other devices and you’ll see the price is higher than for many other similar products. However, you’d doubtless be getting something far more advanced, which would be worth the higher price.
So, let’s speculate – do you think Apple could be ready to create a brand-new vaping system? If so, what would you be prepared to pay to get it if it did deliver an enhanced experience?
