1. So, I live in Germany, and most of the best-selling e-cigarettes here use the pod system. It contains 20 mg/mL nicotine and 2 mL liquid.Despite the comments above, I don't think it's such a bad idea. In theory... but I am unconvinced that it would work in the field.
1. You're tied in to the proprietary system. There are too many variables, options, opinions and personal tastes for one single system so suit so many people.
2. Do that many people really want their vaping regulated by an app? What if you're stressed and you need an extra toke or 2? Yes you could build in systems to override restrictions temporarily or whatever, but...
3. It sounds like a lot of faff - vaping is enough faff anyway without needing an app to make it worse
4. How do you deal with variables like length of draw, intensity of draw, and nic levels?
5. Manufacturing - have you thought about how you will develop this and get it to market? Most vape manufacturers (and certainly affordable ones) are chinese, so it won't be here in the uk where you can get involved
6. Distribution - a bit like music (cds, records) distribution, vape distribution is quite niche, and probably stitched up (I could be wrong, just a guess)
7. Maintaining market share - have you seen the clones of high end vape stuff? They're very good and original producers seem powerless to stop them. If you're outsourcing production to the chinese, I virtually guarantee you there will be a knock off version at half the price within weeks
The above, combined with it being pretty expensive... cos you have to make a profit, right?.... I just can't see that much uptake.
Sorry to piss on your fire. I do actually like the idea, but I am struggling to see how it would work in reality. And while I would like to suggest ideas to be more positive, and overcome the above negatives, I'm not actually able to think of any right now.
2 & 3. I doubt it's that difficult or tiring. Maybe I could make 3 models, each for one mode. No switching of modes.
4. Instead of puffs, you could set a timer that counts down with each puff. The draw strength is controlled by the constant vaporization energy. As soon as the device recognizes that someone is drawing on it, it no longer adjusts the draw strength but always uses the same energy to vaporize.
5 & 7. There are a few factories in Germany, and it wouldn't be particularly cheap for paints in China to replicate my idea. At least not until my brand has built up a name for itself and, in the best case, is selling better and better. By then, at the latest, duplicates can no longer be ruled out, but they would sell poorly in Germany, which is why no duplicates could prevail, at least in Germany.
6. That's probably true. Here you can only rely on luck or a lot of knowledge. Maybe investors too. Also social media.
Its late, and my head doesn't work properly. Maybe nothing of this makes sense, but maybe its a way to get closer to the goal.
