The US Patent & Trademark Office officially granted Apple a vaporizer patent on 26 January 2017. The patent was filed by Apple employee Tetsuya Ishikawa and proposes vaporization through a heated plate.

Apple receives electronic cigarette patent

It is not yet known what sort of electronic cigarette this is to be because, as seen in the patent application drawing, the terminology used is "substance". This could mean electronic cigarette liquids or marijuana, or, in a blinding flash of innovation, both?

Needless to say the electronic cigarette world is rocked to its core by the sheer fact a giant has stepped onto the stage. While details are still hazy at this point, it is a well-known fact Apple is a relentless innovator not only in its industry, but in everything from automobiles to television to diapers. Ok, not diapers, but we wouldn't be surprised to see iPoo smart diapers hit the market soon. All joking aside, we are all waiting to see where Apple goes with this vaporizer patent - hopefully it will be the best for the consumer.