Apple has launched a new TV ad for the iPad Mini that they also showed off during the media event last week. The ad is called “Piano” and shows GarageBand running on the full-size iPad playing one hand and later on the iPad Mini, playing a duet from ‘Heart and Soul‘.

On the iPad Mini launch day lines for the iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad have been shorter than most of Apple’s previous launch days. However despite the impact of Hurricane Sandy, Fortune notes that Apple’s Fifth Avenue Retail Store in Manhattan saw over 800 people in line as the store opened at 10:00 AM. Check out the line and the opening of the store in the videos after the break. » iPad Mini Sells Out In Two Hours At Fifth Avenue Retail Store

The iPad Mini and fourth-generation iPad sales have now officially started. In countries such as New Zealand “where it is now in the morning of November 2” first customers have officially purchased the iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad. In the photo below you can see Twitter user @jgriffinz who was one of the first customers to officially purchase the iPad mini in New Zealand and was interviewed by The Wall Street Journal. » Official iPad Mini & Fourth-Generation iPad Sales Begin

Some customers who pre-ordered the iPad Mini already received their package ahead of Friday’s official launch for the Wi-Fi models. The French site igen.fr [Google translation] shared some unboxing photos from a customer who pre-ordered a white iPad mini from French reseller Darty. » First Unboxing Photos From Early iPad Mini Delivery [Photos]

The iPad Mini will be officially be available on November 2nd, but Apple provided some publications with an early review unit. Take a look after the break to see what blogs such as CNET, The Verge, EnGadget, The Guardian and the Loop Insight have to say about the iPad Mini. » First iPad Mini Reviews [Video]

Macrumors reports that the first Apple resellers have already begun receiving shipments of Wi-Fi iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad models ahead of their launch scheduled for this Friday, November 2. Cellular-capable iPad Mini and fourth-generation iPad models will follow several weeks after this Friday’s launch of Wi-Fi models. » Resellers Begun Receiving iPad Mini & iPad Shipments Ahead of Friday’s Launch

Apple started the pre-order for the iPad Mini and iPad 4 26 October 3AM Eastern / 12AM Pacific. 17 minutes later, ship dates for the white iPad mini slipped to 2 weeks from the original “Delivers 11/2”, whille the black Wi-Fi iPad mini remains available for delivery by November 2nd. This can have two reasons, Apple’s iPad Mini low supply or a the high demand. » Apple Already Sold Out Of White iPad Mini Pre-Order Stock