Due to time zone differences, Apple’s online stores in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Singapore and Australia had gone offline earlier this morning, ahead of the November 1 iPad Air launch. And right on cue, the online Apple Store in Australia, China, Japan and elsewhere have returned for business now.
Most of the stores are listing the device as shipping within 24 hours. The online Apple Stores across Europe and in North America are expected to go down in a few hours as Apple preps to take online orders at midnight.
I’ve got more info plus line shots from across the world right after the jump…
Currently, the online Apple Stores in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore list the iPad Air as shipping in 24 hours.
Cellular and Wi-Fi models have launched simultaneously, except for China and Macao where only Wi-Fi models are available because the cellular variants haven’t yet received their government certification.
If you live in Hong Kong, you’re out of luck. Though the online store initially listed the iPad Air with 1-2 week shipping estimates, it was soon moved to the “currently unavailable” status. It is also “currently unavailable” on the New Zealand store (UPDATE: available again, probably just a hiccup).
Our non-scientific poll told us that nearly half of respondents plan on buying an iPad Air.
While there’s every reason to believe that retailers will be well stocked and supplies plentiful, buyers in the United States and Canada should set an alarm for 12:01am Pacific Time, when your local Apple Store will start taking orders. Of course, expect Apple’s online stores to go down in a few hours  in Europe, United States, Canada and elsewhere in advance of online orders.
Beginning tomorrow at 8am local time, the device will launch across Apple and carrier’s brick-and-mortar locations and via select Apple Authorized Resellers.
Though online ordering allows everyone to buy their iPad from the comfort of their couch and have it delivered to their doorstep the next day, some fans prefer to stand in line just to mingle with other folks and take part in launch festivities.
Another reason to stand in line vs. order online: to make history.
Here, check out a few line shots from around the world.
The United States
@KFCBarstool people in line for the Apple store a full day before the new iPad comes out: saddest people on earth pic.twitter.com/hFK0D9IvEW
— Dave Hanson (@theballisorange) October 31, 2013
Australia
Ben Pasternak was first in line in Sydney with camera rig and all, telling us his Apple Store “opens in 4.5 hours”. Kudos!
Germany
Via Alex Superschweizer.
The massive roll-out will see the iPad Air launch simultaneously in the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China (Wi-Fi models only), Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao (Wi-Fi models only), Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, with more markets to be announced in the coming weeks.
The iPad Air starts out at $499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi model.
Prices go up to $599 for the 32GB model, $699 for the 64GB model and $799 for the 128GB model. The Wi-Fi + Cellular variants are a $130 pricier and start out at $629 for the 16GB model, going up to $729 for the 32GB model, $829 for the 64GB model and $929 for the 128GB model.
You’re advised to check out Cody’s pricing and availability info for new iPads.
Have more line shots to share? Drop them on tips@idownloadblog.com!