Nestled among the wish lists for the Apple launch next week are all the obvious iPods and possible iTVs. But there's also a crazy wish for a mid-sized iPad. Why?

I spent this morning reading all the pre-game coverage for Apple's big product roll-out event next week, and nestled among the obvious iPods and possible iTVs is a crazy wish for a mid-sized iPad. This 7-inch tablet would be virtually identical to the current 9.6- inch one, just smaller. Ooh, how exciting.

Every time I hear this rumor, I have to suppress the urge to shout back in the face of the rumor monger, "If you want a smaller iPad, get a freaking iPod touch!" Okay, I admit it; I have actually said that to a few people.

Apple does make variants. The iPod is a perfect example. We have the full-sized iPod Touch, the Nano and the bite-sized Shuffle. Most people I know bought the standard iPod Touch and ignored the other options. The Nano clearly has some market penetration, but with all the design changes Apple's made to it over the years, it hardly seems as if Apple has found the Nano market sweet spot.

Interestingly, few people talk about how the iPad itself is just another option in the iPod line. Many have described as a "large iPod Touch" but no one quite connects the dots to say that Apple simply didn't want to call the iPad the "iPod Premium" or "iPod Grande".

Yet, the fact that Apple is creating touch devices at various sizes doesn't bolster the argument for a 7-inch iPad. Why? Well think about what 7-inch device does or doesn't get you:

 A 7-inch device means less real estate and more zooming in on pages and documents. Immediately that's less attractive than my iPad.

 7 inches is big enough to draw on, but I get a larger canvas on the iPad

 7 inches is too big to put in my pocket.

 7 inches is still too large to use as a phone. Would you hold something that size up against your head?

I think most manufacturers are already learning that even 5-inch "tablets" are a tough sell. The awkward devices turn off anyone with smaller hands and they don't add enough screen real-estate to be that much more attractive than 4.3-inch devices.

Apple is easily one of the most focused technology companies I have ever seen and introducing an "in-the-middle" 7-inch device would be totally out of character for them. I have trouble envisioning Steve Jobs getting on stage next week and explaining the "magical" utility of this 7-inch iPad.

My imaginary Steve Jobs: "It's lovely  just like your full-sized iPad  but has the added benefit of fitting in slightly smaller handbags or really big jean pockets. Watch, I'll slide it into my back pocket. Hold on. I almost got it jammed in there. Phil, can you give me a hand with this?"

Kidding aside, I have not heard one good argument for the existence of this device. What's more worrisome to me is that some companies like Samsung appear to be carving out this space as if 7-inch tablets are the "new black." Why are they doing this? Was there some consumer outcry for a 7-inch device that I missed?

Now, there is one X-factor here to consider: Dedicated e-readers. The latest Amazon Kindle is about 7.5-inches tall and far lighter than the current iPad or really any other LCD-screen based device. Could a 7-inch iPad be the perfect e-reader killer? Is that what Samsung is thinking? A 7-inch device offers a screen large enough for reading, but a true tablet will also add in so many other features  like phone calls.

Maybe, but my gut says no. There are people like me who own both: a Kindle and an iPad. I never read on my iPad. It's too big and I find the glow of the screen for long-term, relaxed reading a bit taxing on my eyes. The Kindle is small, super light and no harder to read than your average paper-based book. There are others who think the iPad is the perfect reading device. If they don't take their iPad with them, they read on their iPhone. They don't mind the LCD glow. In other words, Apple has them covered. It doesn't need a mid-device to beat or go after the Kindle crowd.

I'll say it again. If you want a smaller iPad, buy an iPod touch. If you think Apple is going to introduce a 7-inch iPad next week, you're wrong. If I'm wrong, I'll eat my hat.