Mpio preps dual-controlled MG300 player

Mpio's latest media player is the MG300, due to launch first in Japan. Distinguishing the device is the presence of not one but two control pads, which more neatly divide play, forward/reverse and track skipping options; the second pad also has a Record button, tied to the 300's built-in microphone. The player is equipped with a 2.4-inch LCD, and comes bundled with AVI conversion software that supports DivX, XviD, WMV and MPEG-1/2/4 video. Supported audio types include APE, FLAC, MP3 and WMA.

Also built in is an FM tuner, and a user's choice of 2, 4 or 8GB of flash. Should that not be enough storage, SD cards up to 2GB in size can be inserted. Japanese prices for the player are being set at 10,980, 14,980 and 19,980 yen ($97, $133 and $177). No North American release has been announced, but Mpio does sell some of its players in the region. [via Impress Watch]