Xiaomi Ecosystem Expands into Vaping as Smartphones and Vaping Devices Converge

The current landscape of the e-cigarette industry resembles the early development of the smartphone industry, with a plethora of brands and rapid updates. Due to the relatively low technical barriers in the e-cigarette industry, the number of new entrants has increased, intensifying competition. Major brands are fiercely competing for market share, all eager to secure a place in the e-cigarette sector. With the emergence of wearable products and the maturity and popularity of 3C technologies such as Bluetooth, mobile internet, fingerprint recognition, mobile positioning, and aesthetic design, e-cigarettes, as a new product, are bound to further integrate these new technologies. The relationship between smartphones and e-cigarettes is becoming increasingly close, and in the near future, e-cigarettes may no longer be just e-cigarettes.

Smartphone brands are entering the e-cigarette industry

Xiaomi Ecosystem

As early as last year, in 2017, Xiaomi crowdfunded the A&D Health Daily Inhaler, which features a delicate and compact design, a matte texture, and fashionable colors, utilizing fully automatic airflow control and intelligent sensing atomization technology. At that time, there was much speculation about whether Xiaomi would indeed enter the e-cigarette industry.

Image: Xiaomi Crowdfunded A&D Health Daily Inhaler

Recently, Xiaomi's ecosystem has further expanded into the new tobacco industry. Its subsidiary, Miwu Technology, along with the Nanchao Qianhai Innovation Fund, has established a joint venture with Jinjia Co., a company with 20 years of experience in e-cigarettes, to explore and develop business in the new tobacco field.

Coolpad

On May 29, 2018, Coolpad entered the e-cigarette field by signing a strategic cooperation agreement with Yuangreen, a subsidiary of the Borton Group. The collaboration will produce a COOL series e-cigarette product that employs internationally leading roasted tobacco technology, featuring a very attractive design; the second generation will include functions such as heart rate testing, step counting, NB-LOT modules, and card insertion modules.

Image: Coolpad Group and Yuangreen Technology Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement

RELX

According to sources, the recently popular RELX e-cigarette was founded by a team that includes members from OPPO, Huawei, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Image: RELX e-cigarette Source: Zhihu

As smartphone brands aggressively enter the e-cigarette market, e-cigarettes will increasingly integrate with smartphone functionalities and technologies, leading to imaginative products in areas such as smartphone apps, e-cigarette accessories, or functional components. Based on current information, I would like to share the following:

01

iPhone Transforms into E-Cigarette

At the end of 2015, a smartphone called Vaporcad Jupiter was released, which had a built-in e-cigarette. Later, based on this, the VQ was invented, allowing for the storage of VQStick atomizers, cleverly integrating the e-cigarette with the phone case, and charging the e-cigarette while stored. The VQ is compatible with products like iPhone and Samsung smartphones.

Image: VQ Accessories Source: Zhihu

The VQ LITE phone stand is very convenient for placing Juul e-cigarettes, and the accessories are compatible with iPhone, SAMSUNG GALAXY, LG, tablets, and car dashboards.

Image: iPhone X Case Stand with JUUL E-Cigarette Source: Amazon

02

Smartphone App Connects to E-Cigarette

The Shanlan e-cigarette can connect to a smartphone app via Bluetooth, with an internal chip controlling the device, enabling a child lock mode that automatically locks when out of Bluetooth range, and allowing adjustments to power temperature, vapor output, and other functions. It is reported that the latest technology from JUUL e-cigarettes is about to launch, featuring Bluetooth technology to alleviate cravings.

Image: Shanlan E-Cigarette Bluetooth Connection

With Xiaomi's ecosystem, Coolpad, Foxconn, Xunwei Communication, and Wentai Technology all joining the e-cigarette ranks, it is expected that Huawei, OPPO, Vivo, and others may also enter the new tobacco industry. The integration of e-cigarettes with smartphone functionalities, materials, and processes will become increasingly widespread.