The Zune HD is up against some tough competition. Microsoft hasn't exactly succeeded in building a massive global user base for the Zune series, and Apple just released a whole new line of iPods. Considering how badly the deck is stacked against the HD, it's a bit of a surprise to say that it appears to be selling out across the board. Electronista reports that the Zune HD is selling like OLED-flavored hotcakes all across the country.

At Best Buy all sizes of the Zune HD are back ordered for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, Fry's is out of the 16 GB model, while over at Amazon the 32 GB model is facing 1-3 week delays. All of that is good news for Microsoft; it looks like their new Zune is really finding an audience.

Microsoft's own store is having no trouble keeping the Zune HD in stock, which could mean that they're taking their time shipping out more to retailers in order to create a shortage. I haven't seen any information that would lead me to assume that is the case, but until we see sales numbers it should stay in your head as a possibility. All we know for certain right now is that several big box retailers are having trouble keeping the Zune HD on the shelves.

If the new Zunes are selling as well as they appear to be, a whole new realm of speculation opens up. A successful revival of the Zune franchise would mean that Microsoft could reasonably look at expanding it again. I think the first step down that road will be a worldwide release of the Zune HD. As we've noted before, the Zune HD is not currently sold outside the U.S. With any luck, high sales over here will translate to a release across the pond. Keep your fingers crossed, Europe.