Despite rumors and requests, Microsoft says it has no plans to release the Zune HD beyond American borders.
The touch screen media player is scheduled for release on September 15 in the United States only. But speaking to Ars Technica, a Microsoft representative left the door open for future export, saying the Zune HD will remain stateside "for the time being."
Microsoft is focusing on bringing Zune Video, a software platform for video downloads, to 18 markets, says the company line. "We are looking at potential future hardware experiences for these markets, but do not have anything to announce right now," the representative said.
Back when the Zune HD wasn't yet official, or even named, reports speculated that the new hardware would be international. Keep in mind that the original Zune never made it beyond Canada, and even that came almost two years after the U.S. release.
Why hate on other nations? Ars reckons that the United States is being used as a testing ground before hitting the international stage. After all, the Zune brand has yet to prove successful, so it'd make sense to start small. Who knows? Microsoft may have even adopted that strategy for the original Zune, scrapping the idea when sales fell flat.
But if you're overseas, I wouldn't rule anything out. Microsoft has a way of neither confirming nor denying rumors, allowing the company to make a splash when it's actually ready to make an announcement. All you have to hope for is that the player is actually successful in the first place. Place your bets now.
