iPad Air goes on sale (pictures)

Friday, November 1, marks the first day that consumers can get their hands on Apple's iPad Air. In keeping with tradition on launch days for new iPads and iPhones, consumers lined up early to be on hand when Apple Store doors opened. Here you see the start of the line at the Apple Store in Sydney.

The iPad Air is Apple's fifth version of its market-defining tablet, the first of which was released more than three years ago. Has the excitement faded over time? At Apple's store in Sydney, the line -- several hundred strong -- was significantly shorter than it was for the new iPhones that arrived a few weeks ago. Apple typically puts up barriers for crowd control at that store, but not this time around.

A continent away at Apple's Sanlitun store in Beijing, all was peaceful for the arrival of the iPad Air. The new tablet is going on sale in 42 countries on day one, the most widespread launch yet for one of Apple's tablets.

At Apple's Sanlitun store in China, a sign tells potential buyers of the iPad Air that they need to preorder online.

Shoppers crowd around the tables at Apple's Sanlitun store on the arrival of the iPad Air.

At Apple's store on the Upper West Side in New York, employees get ready ahead of the 8 a.m. opening time.

Dreary weather greeted expectant shoppers outside Apple's Upper West Side store.

Another look at the encampment outside Apple's Upper West Side store on iPad Air day.

Once the doors to the Upper West Side store opened, the line moved briskly.

Across town at the Apple Store inside New York's Grand Central Terminal, early morning shoppers go hands-on with the iPad Air.

Inventory of the iPad Air at the Grand Central Terminal store seemed plentiful.

At the Grand Central store, an early riser comes to grips with the iPad Air.