It is no secret that Apple’s iPod has trounced Microsoft Zune in the marketplace. Microsoft has done little to improve or change the Zune’s features. While iPod owners have enjoyed audiobooks, movie rentals, or any of the advanced features of the iPod touch, Zune owners have seen little change since the device was introduced in November 2006.

This has now cost the Zune’s most avid fan, Steven Smith the guy even went as far as getting three Zune-themed tattoos. Now he will be hiding them and no longer wants to be part of the Zune community (as small as that community may be).

“I have had the Zune since day one and have noticed little improvement,” Smith says. “I have tried my best to support them every step of the way but the recent Xbox Live announcement at E3 made me lose it.” He has now bought an 80GB iPod classic.

Microsoft anemic improvements as lead to only recently received official TV show support in-store as of May 2008, two and a half years after the iTunes and the iPod.

At this point Microsoft would need a small miracle, no a LARGE miracle to get anywhere near the feature set of an iPod touch.

Rest assured, Steven Smith is not alone in his frustration with Microsoft and their product. There has been plenty of public frustration with the player expressed by early fans and potential buyers. The sales have been dismal.

Where is the “social?” I have yet to see a Zune in the wild. Many of the stores I have seen them in are still carrying the old models and no one notices.

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