MPC-500 First Shots - Looks real to me!

So here it is. The first shots of the MPC-500 pocket-sized sampler/drum machine have leaked to the MPC Forums. It has twelve pads. Runs off 6xAA batteries. Stereo ins and outs on 1/4" jacks. Nice MPC-2500 style cursors, which are missing from the MPC1000. No word yet on sample time, or storage, although a CF card seems likely. I can't see a USB port, but it seems very likely.
The tiny LCD display (with switchable backlight) means the wonderful screen/soft-button interface (in place since the MPC3000) is lost, partially replaced by new single function buttons (the ubiquitous 'window' button is also gone). I'm not sure about the three-in-a-row pad arrangement. One of the most fun things to do on an MPC is playing slices of loop samples across the pads. The 4x4 grid works very well for 4/4 time signatures. Perhaps Akai are expecting a waltz revival? Price seems to be settling at $749, although that, like everything is TBC. Fans of conspiracy theories will note that this leak comes just 48 hours before version 1.0 of the hacked MPC1000 OS is released by JJ...