Steven Smith became pretty popular for showing his love to Microsoft Zune by making a couple of tattoos dedicated to the multimedia player, but more recently he announced the plans to change his real name to Microsoft Zune. A crazy idea? A smart move? You decide after reading the following comprehensive interview:

- Could you talk a bit about yourself, like a small introduction so people can get to know you better?

Hello my name is Steven Smith, for now, but soon it won’t be because as you all know I am on a quest to change my name. A little about the person who will soon go by the name Microsoft Zune, I am 22 yrs old and currently going to college for graphic design.

I perform stand up comedy on my free time, and will soon be performing in Omaha, NE. I also love to play my Xbox 360 and I am currently addicted to Guitar Hero 3 and soon to be Mass Effect.

I know a ton of you have been hard on me for my devotion to the Microsoft Zune but if you all could see it in yourself to just talk to me and know the real me instead of throwing lame insults that would be awesome.

- From Steve Smith, to Microsoft Zune. What is the real reason behind the desired change of names?

Well I have wanted to change my name for years but to what? Then I got to thinking, what does happen when the Zune isn’t around anymore (in like 50 yrs) and I have Zune tattoos? Well then the tattoos would pass on meaning if my name is Microsoft Zune. That and because anytime I greet someone and they verify I am not screwing with them I can talk to them about the Zune. I will be the full blooded walking advertisement.

- Most (internet) people on forums and blogs that have commented about this situation, have disapproved what you want to do. Anything you’d like to say to them?

Not really I love the fact this is boiling their blood. Think of it this way, if they truely think I am a waste of space or that I should kill myself as some have suggested. Then why are they wasting their time posting such comments? Secretly, deep down inside they know that I am doing this out of the love of the device and they wish they had something in their life they could embrace so full heartly.

- Has anyone from Microsoft ever got in contact with you?

Ceasar (zuneinsider.com) has contacted me through e-mail and I have talked to him over the phone. He said my first two tattoos are okay (kinda pushing it) but to not get my third tattoo or he would consider me nuts. I would love to know what he thinks about the name change, lol.

- Do other people recognize that your 3 tattoos are directly related to Zune? Or do you keep them private for yourself?

I have had people who recongized my face on the street and asked to look at my tattoos. They then take pictures of them with their cellphone. All the people who have recongized me are Zune owners, ehe.

- Are you really going to change your name, or is this all a bluff? Aren’t the tattoos enough to show your love for the multimedia player?

I am no lawyer so I don’t know what all goes into this, but I do promise to document through video all my efforts and will try everything I can to have this go through. As far as I have looked into it looks like I am completely in the clear of any legal problems and its all up to paperwork and court costs.

- What is the next step after changing your name to Microsoft Zune? Modding your car to look like a big-version of the Zune?

I have been looking into getting the dent taken out of my Ford Focus (2002 Station Wagon SE) and then having it colored brown. My old boss then could let me use his printers to print large Zune decals to put on my car.

So yea I have been looking into other things, those are much further down the pipe line.

As far as upcoming Zune stuff for me? I will be getting three new tattoos very soon, “you make it you” tattooed on the other side of my back. “Two snakes and the ice cream cone” from zune-arts.net, and “Dancing Bear Friends” from zune-arts.net. I also wish to get the Apple logo tattooed on my butt cheek.

- Edwin, from Coolest Gadgets, has asked why did you pick the Zune over the iPod?

I owned a Photo iPod and when the video iPod came out and Apple left us Photo iPod owners in the dust, basically forcing us to buy a new iPod if we wanted the new features. That made me mad for many generations of iPods but finally I couldn’t take it anymore.

Then I read about Microsoft hatching up a new PMP and I read everything I could about it while it was coming out. When it finally got a name and a release date I sold my iPod video and bought my Zune on Day 1 (Nov 14th, 2006) and I have been in love with it ever since. Since I am a graphic designer I love the idea of switching the background graphic. I love the sound, in my book it can get way louder than my iPod could. I enjoy all the 1st party accessories, such as the home kit and car kit.

The best thing about the Zune? The firmware and wifi are left to future updates instead of forcing us to buy new hardware.

- Is Microsoft supporting you in cash?
Ha ha, I wished, no seriously Microsoft has been suprisingly cool about all of this but they have not supported me with an financial expenses at all. And I don’t ever expect them too. I am doing this for me and the Zune, but I am not doing any of this to get free stuff or money in return.

- If there was a real cool and sexy female Zune mascot, who do you think it should be?

Megan Fox would make for a good sexy female Zune mascot. I hated the Transformer movie but I have watched it three times because of her, lol.

- Did you get a Zune cake for your birthday? If not, would you like to receive one?

I have not gotten a Zune cake for birthday, but hell yea it would be awesome to ever have one.

- Anything else you’d like to add?

Other than to say, Nov 13th is not far away fellow Zuners so get ready you are about to see the Zune come out on top and help crumble the evil Apple empire.

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Just for fun questions, yes or no type:

- Windows XP or Windows Vista?
I dig Windows Vista and haven’t a clue why people hate it? But then again I am not trying to run 5 yr old USB devices on it.
- Red or white colored Zune?
Red, its the one Cesar threw my way and I think it looks amazing.
- Bill Gates or Steve Jobs?
Bill Gates: He has figured out how to run the World’s computers and Steve Jobs have figured out how to make people think they are stylish or artistic if they buy his products.
- Firefox or Internet Explorer?
Opera, both Firefox, and Internet Explorer have their share of problems.
- Laptop or Dekstop?
Both, my laptop is a Toshiba P25-S676, my roommates desktop is a HP.

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Finally, I’d like to send a big “thank you” message to Steven for being able to do the interview.