Does Apple's Seven-Inch iPad Really Exist?

The

has jumped on the bandwagon of major publications claiming that Apple

is developing a seven-inch iPad.

According to the

, "[Apple] is developing a new tablet with a 7.85-inch screen that is likely to sell for significantly less than the latest $499 iPad, with its 9.7-inch display, according to several people with knowledge of the project who declined to be named discussing confidential plans." Two weeks ago,

offered a similar report, citing "two people with knowledge of the plans." With every report, the prospects of an iPad Mini -- a device that

-- seem more plausible. How could Bloomberg and the New York Times, two of the largest and most well-respected publications in America, get it wrong? The

spoke to people who are "familiar with the situation" as well, and they also said that a smaller iPad is coming. But

contributor Erika Morphy is not convinced. She makes an interesting point: while many publications have reported on the rumored tablet, AllThingsD -- a publication known for breaking Apple news -- has yet to provide the world with any concrete information. On July 4,

published a brief story that linked to the aforementioned Wall Street Journal report. The next day, AllThingsD reporter Ina Fried

that Steve Jobs did not like the idea of a seven-inch iPad. On July 13, AllThingsD published a

from Joyoftech.com that mocked the media hype behind the iPad Mini. AllThingsD and the Wall Street Journal are both owned by Dow Jones & Company, which is owned by News Corp.

. One could assume that, since the Wall Street Journal has the scoop, AllThingsD does not need to offer its own report with its own sources. However, if the iPad Mini

exist, it seems likely that the site would have its own story anyway. This does not mean that Apple will never release a seven-inch iPad. But it should be a sign to diehard Apple fans that a smaller and cheaper iPad may not arrive as quickly as they expect.