Apple iPhone 5 in Muncie at AT&T Early Friday Morning

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - The iPhone world got lighter and faster with the launch of the new iPhone 5 and its new iOS 6 software showed off by Apple and made available Friday by AT&T and  other service providers.

 That did not matter to Audrey Caudill, a Ball State University student walking down McKinley Avenue listening to Pandora on her iPhone 4. She liked her current phone and was in no rush for the new software or iPhone priced the same as her's.

 Apple had a big online show to show off the thin glass and aluminum iPhone that will connect faster the 4G LTE data networks. Phil Schiller, Apple marketing director gave an online pitch for the phone and operating system that included music by the Foo Fighters. That splashy display set the stage for online orders Friday with delivery in stores on Sept. 21.

 Among the biggest upgrades are panorama camera on the phone besides eight hours of browsing battery life and 10 hours on WiFi. The new iOS 6 software has new mapping software and a turn by turn voice navigation. There's also Facebook integration, Passbook organization and more Siri directional features and languages. And that software is available for 3GS, 4 and 4S models besides iPads from the last two years.

 AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint are all rushing to offer the new phone, and AT&T plans to take orders at 3:01 a.m. Friday.

 Tammy Rader, AT&T media go to person in Indiana, had words from AT&T Mobility President and CEO Ralph de la Vega on Thursday, indicating Apple provides "hands down the best phone system yet."

 AT&T worked with Apple for five years promoting and selling iPhones and its largest 4G network. The company is always flexible allowing customers to keep their current iPhone data plans or other new mobile plans offering faster connection and more access.

 Apple officials were reluctant to talk about sales or projected markets for the latest iPhone that just launched the last iPhone a year ago. As many know, those phones and the software for them are made in those infamous factory towns popping up in south China where workers make about $2.80 an hour. That technology made in China has raised concerns among some consumers and organized labor in the communications industry.