iPad Mini Confirmed by…Samsung!?

There's a conflict of interest in here somewhere, I just know it.Samsung Securities, the investment banking portion of the Samsung conglomerate, has reportedly written a report stating that Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) will release a smaller, seven-inch iPad – tentatively called the iPad Mini – in the third quarter.The report (which has yet to be confirmed as being real) comes from JungHoon Chang, a Samsung Securities analyst. BGR and others are quickly picking up the story. But as BGR notes, confirming the report's validity could not allow us to confirm that a miniature iPad actually exists, as the report could simply be the result of speculation based on months of rumors. So what we have here is a report that may not be real, and a couple of comments that may not be anything more than speculation. I, for one, think the report is fake – or at the very least incorrect. I've already explained why Apple will never release a seven-inch tablet, so there's no need to reiterate those comments here.If, however, you think it's odd that Samsung has an investment banking division that covers Apple, you're not alone. I think it's very strange that the company is allowed to comment on a competitor in this regard. That would be like Apple launching a separate division called Apple Securities, which would then critique Samsung and announce new Samsung products before their official unveiling.With regard to Samsung Securities, there's something about the division that really bugs me, mostly because it justifies Samsung's other business practices. While Apple has publicly denounced the concept of a seven-inch tablet, Samsung is one of many manufacturers that has been attempting (hoping) to validate the smaller format. So by saying, “Apple is making one too,” it's as if Samsung is proclaiming, “We were right! Now Apple is following our lead!”That alone should keep Apple from releasing an iPad Mini.Follow me @LouisBedigian