Apple's 7-inch iPad Discussion Revealed in Court Documents

Remember how Steve Jobs famously said that there is no room for a 7-inch iPad?

In a famous earnings call, Steve Jobs noted that 10-inch is simply the right size. The doubts analysts expressed that day were shared with some executives inside Apple as well: Court documents unsealed in the Apple-Samsung trial confirm that Eddy Cue, in charge of Apple's iTunes unit, advocated a 7-inch version of the tablet and discussed such a product with Steve Jobs.

Apparently, Jobs was "receptive" for such a product. That was on January 24, 2011 - or just about three months after the earnings call, which took place on October 18, 2010. However, there was no indication that the 7-inch iPad went beyond the discussion phase.

Instead, there are signs that the iPhone changed Apple more than itself believed initially and there was a somewhat conclusive thought that the phone was proof that Apple could be more than just a computer company. This may explain why Apple thought it could build digital cameras and possibly even cars. Strangely enough, none of the documents have referred to future products such as the rumored Apple LCD TV. Perhaps there are still trade secret concerns, but given the volume of information that has been disclosed already, and the insights in Apple's inner workings, it really may not matter anymore.

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