Analyst are predicting that Apple will begin work on its 7-inch iPad very soon. They are wrong. [ad#Google Adsense 300×250 in story]The fact is, Apple already has a 7-inch iPad. They have had one of the smaller devices since they started making the 9.7-inch iPad that we have now.

To be clearer, the two devices were developed at the same time. They have pretty much the same specs, except, of course, the 9.7-inch model has a lower density screen than its smaller counterpart.

Why did Apple choose to go with the larger model instead? Only Steve Jobs knows that for sure.

Perhaps Apple didn’t want comparisons to the iPhone or iPod touch. Even though those comparisons were made with the larger iPad, they would have been even more prevalent with a 7-inch model.

With other companies releasing their 7-inch tablets, you may wonder why Apple doesn’t push its device out the door. I think the answer to that is quite simple — they don’t have to release it.

The iPad is the one of the best selling devices in history. Why would Apple need to release a smaller version to compete in a market it owns. It doesn’t.

When Apple decides it is going to release a 7-inch iPad, rest assured it has been in the works for a long time.

The next time someone says they believe Apple is beginning work on a 7-inch iPad, you will know they are wrong because it’s already done.

Update: I mistakenly said the 9.7-inch had a higher density screen. This has been changed to a lower density screen.