When will a smart case be released for ipad mini?

The cover is already available, but evidently not the case. As to when i will be, if ever, no one here would be able to tell you. Apple rarely announces new products in advance.

It is likley you could find some third party covers from various retail sources, however.

Message was edited by: James Ward4

No way to know, Apple does not make there release dates available to the public. There some 3rd party cases (not from Apple) for it though.

http://store.griffintechnology.com/intellicase-for-ipad-mini