On the day of the event, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced a new version of MacBook family and new generations of the MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, and the iMac before the iPad Mini and the higher end fourth-generation iPad.

[12] It can act as a hotspot with some carriers, sharing its Internet connection over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB,[13] and also access the App Store, a digital application distribution platform for iOS that is developed and maintained by Apple.

The service allows users to browse and download applications from the iTunes Store that were developed with Xcode and the iOS SDK and were published through Apple.

[14] Currently the latest versions are IOS 9.3.6 (for Wi-Fi+Cellular models) and iOS 9.3.5 (for Wi-Fi only models) The iPad Mini comes with several pre-installed applications, including Siri, Safari, Mail, Photos, Video, Music, iTunes, App Store, Maps, Notes, Calendar, Game Center, Photo Booth, and Contacts.

[13] The device has an optional iBooks application, which displays books and other ePub-format content downloaded from the iBookstore.

[22] However, some newer features of the software are not supported due to relatively aged hardware that was shared with the iPad 2 and iPhone 4S.

The iPad Mini is available with 16, 32, 64 GB of internal flash memory, with no expansion option.

Apple sells a "camera connection kit" with an SD card reader, but it can only be used to transfer photos and videos.

[29][30] Apple offers other accessories, including a Bluetooth keyboard, several types of earbuds or headphones and many adapters for the Lightning connector.

[32][33] Reviews of the first generation iPad Mini have been positive,[34][35][36][37][38][39] with reviewers praising the device's size, design, and availability of applications, while criticizing its use of a proprietary power connector and its lack of expandable storage and Retina display.

[40][43] Joshua Topolsky of The Verge praised the industrial design of the iPad Mini, however panned its lack of Retina display and price.