On a dutch Minidisc messageboard new Sony Hi-MD portable players appeared that apparently support the MP3 music file format.

The Sony MZ-RH10 features a Organic EL display and looks very slick with the silver/mirror finish. The Hi-MD (1GB storage capacity disc) plays ATRAC, MP3, WMA and WAV. It is also possible to store office documents on the Hi-MD disc. Battery life is 32 hours.

The MZ-RH910 looks to be a cheaper Hi-MD player with a 5 line LCD and 25 hour battery life.

The MZ-RH710 only has a 3 line LCD and also just 25 hours battery life.
Still to be able to store 1GB worth of MP3 on a Hi-MD disc is sure interesting for some and an alternative to HDD based MP3 Players.
More details on MDCenter (Dutch). Via Engadget. In case the messageboard entry disappears here is a copy on CDPKorea (Korean).

Sony announced Hi-MD Players first time in January 2004. A couple of them are available on Amazon.com.