There may be only one man who can really impart the significance of the new Zune launch. Actually, he may be the Zune's biggest fan, and he deeply cares about today's launch of three new Zune models and new services. We aren't talking about Bill Gates, but 22-year-old Steve Smith from Sioux City, Iowa. Smith is the proud owner of three Zunes and the proud displayer of three Zune tattoos: one on each arm and one on his back. In an interview with LAPTOP, Smith talked about what he likes about the new software and hardware updates and even let us in on the new tattoos he's planned with the release of the new Zunes, including an Apple tattoo on his butt. 
 
What do you think of today's Zune news?
SS: I'm totally pleased with the new Zunes. I'm most looking forward to the Wi-Fi synching from Marketplace, but the Zune Social options sound amazing. I'm also glad they're providing Zune Cards now. Also, the new control scheme looks like it will quiet the naysayers, who love the iPod Click Wheel.
 
Which new Zune do you plan on getting? Or will you get them all?
SS: Even though Microsoft gave me a red 30GB Zune for free, it would be completely awesome if they hooked up their biggest fan with an 80GB device, too. But that's just wishful thinking. I'll buy an 80GB Zune on day one and for Christmas I'll buy my friends 4GB Zunes and my really good friends 8GB Zunes. 
 
Will the new Zunes mean adding new Zune tattoos?
SS: I will actually be getting three more tattoos. They are the following: the two snakes eating an ice cream cone from the newest Zune-arts.net commercial; "Hello from Seattle" on the back of my neck; and the skeleton bear from zune-arts.net. That doesn't mean those are the last three I will get; it just means those are the next three. I might get an Apple logo on my butt cheek, too.
 
On the subject of your tattoos, what is it about the Zune you like so much that you wanted to have it on your body forever?
SS: I love the Zune for a handful of reason: Better body design, better UI, Wi-Fi sharing, Zune Pass, customizable backgrounds, and full-page albums while playing music. I got the three tattoos simply because I wanted to get some tattoos, and at the time I had been stocking up on Zune accessories, and I thought to myself, 'One: How can I help spread the name of the Zune, and two: How can I stick it to the Apple iPod community," and that's when I got my first tattoo--the Zune logo.
 
So you're a Microsoft fan? Did you ever have an iPod?
SS: I am without a doubt a huge Microsoft fan. I love my Zune, but I love my Xbox 360, too. At one time, before the Zune was ever released, I owned a 30GB 5G iPod, and I hated it. The video playback was joke, the audio quality was so bad I never could make it sound loud enough. The main reason I decided to jump ship was because I had owned a 4G iPod and 1G Nano, and both devices were trash in a year. 

 

What's your favorite part of the Zune?
SS: My favorite part of my Zune is the customizable backgrounds and the sound quality. I own a pair of the premium earbuds, and they sound awesome. I also love the large screen for video playback. All the first-party accessories are extremely sexy and work amazingly well. I have the car kit and house kit, and I couldn't ask for a better FM tuner.