Why Apple Should Launch a Smaller iPad

Rumors that Apple has been developing a smaller iPad -- which many have been referring to as the iPad mini -- for almost as long as the iPad has been around. 

Late last week, Ciccarese Design published images of its own iPad mini mockups and its take on the device is unarguably beautiful. But while sources have indicated that Apple has developed a prototype iPad mini, many believe that it will never actually see the light of day.

There are numerous reasons put forward against Apple launching a smaller iPad. For one thing, Steve Jobs didn't like the idea, saying that the 10-inch form factor was the "minimum" required for tablet apps. "The 10-inch screen size is the minimum size required to create great tablet apps. Seven-inch tablets are tweeners: too big to compete with a smartphone, and too small to compete with an iPad," he said back in October 2010.