Microsoft launched the Zune DAP in the US in November 2006. It was anticipated that Microsoft will introduce the Zune player outside of the United States in late 2007.

Steve Ballmer now said in an interview with the German Wirtschafts Woche (via Heise) that the Zune launch in Europe is canceled for autumn 2007. He does not give a new date and blames the delay on the fact that MS is still loosing money on the Zune. In October 2006 a MS spokes person already said in the UK that the Zune might not launch before 2008.

Microsoft expects to sell 1 million Zune players by of this month. It is also anticipated that Microsoft will launch new Zune player models for Christmas later this year.

On the one hand I agree that companies should not expand to fast if their market share in their home market is not solid. On the other hand it is Microsoft and consumers expect global availability of their products.