It's a familiar scene for tech junkies and capitalizing consumers alike: Lines of patient people, huddling behind each other, shifting from foot to foot outside of local electronics stores for that next hot toy, new game or third-generation gaming system.

Most are ready to pay the price because they know others will pay more for their product. This time it's the much-hyped Apple iPhone, a handheld cell phone, multi-media player and Internet browser.

In the hours before the release of the product, however, Bismarck residents can do little more than turn on the TV to watch the rush for Apple's iPhone.

In fact, North Dakota residents can really only take a trip to the two closest Apple stores - one in Eden Prairie, Minn., and one in the Mall of America in the Twin Cities - to wait in line for the coveted up-to-$600 phone. It's not being sold at Best Buy, and there are no Apple or AT&T stores in Bismarck.

"I think there are several folks who have sold Apple (products)and can dabble, but Apple's not a super big market share out here,"said Dan Durkee, vice president and general manager of Connecting Point Computer Center in Bismarck, which creates custom-designed solutions for businesses. Durkee said Connecting Point has fit Apple product solutions for advertising agencies and print shops.

But lack of area supply isn't the only trip-up:The phone uses AT&T wireless service, which isn't sold in the state. North Dakota's major wireless providers are Verizon, Alltel and Nextel.

If Apple trends hold true, however, the iPhone could be a market leader, similar to what the iPod did to the MP3-player world.

Were more companies to eventually take on this handheld multimedia functionality with their own phones, a touch-screen Internet browser/phone/camera/ MP3 player/calendar could filter into a wireless market in North Dakota.

"Certainly, the concept behind it of always being connected is very valid. It's a good concept,"Durkee said. "Some point in the near future, there will be other devices besides the Apple iPhone that will allow people to stay connected to the Internet. Ideally, that's what you're going to see a lot of companies move to."

Until then, however, average North Dakota consumers not willing to pay roaming or other outside-of-service charges for using the latest and greatest in connectivity technology will have to suffice with reading reviews or checking it out during out-of-state trips.

"I'd like to see what one would look like,"Durkee said. "I think that it'd be fun to try one and to see it."