Waiting for Microsoft...

Pretty much everything Microsoft does with regards to localization/internationalization sucks. Everything. And it's not just bad: it's either terrible, or completely non-existant. My favorite thing is when they actively block you from doing stuff in English.

Also, searching in Bing Maps. Which may or may not be related.

Yep, if you live outside North-America, you have a hard time at it, no denying that. This month I'm up for a new phone and I really want a Phone 7. The Dutch telco's, however, wait for the localization, which may come in April. I want the English interface but I still have to wait. While that isn't entirely Microsoft's decision, I can see how providers wait until the local interface is available too. Also, Microsoft shoves localized versions of Zune etcetera even further away. It's very hard for me to justify to wait that long. As a result I've bought a low-end basic phone and as the end date of my contract gets closer, Android, Nokia and even Badu start looking attractive (not iPhone: I am the de facto tech supporter of one and after a year I can only say 'ewww!'). As Eric S. makes sure that he says something to piss intelligent human beings off, Google's Anrdoid, despite that I think Google makes some top notch products in the internet, I can't bear to look at anything Google without despising myself (seriously, I have a wide tolerance margin for corporate evil, but that Eric guy: no-go).

So, Microsoft, I'm a fan but sometimes, just sometimes, it's like rooting for the Dolphins (which, as it happens, I do).

It almost as bad in Canada. It toook forever for the original Zune marketplace to be available here.
Every time I set up a new system for someone I just say English US even though I'm not in the US. It just makes things simpler.

Well, look at it from their side;

It takes a lot of effort to launch a product. To launch it simultaniously world wide is nearly a mission impossible.

Then there is the timing issue. You have to crank out new versions of your product to stay in the game. If that means that certain markets get left behind, then that's their choice.

I don't agree with it, but hey; what can I do?

@Maddus Mattus: I would be satisfied if they got the concept that Language is not the same as Region and that at a minium English should be available as a second language on stuff available outside of the English speaking markets (people do travel after all).