Microsoft plans to let the first group of developers get their hands on hardware next month

So far, developers wanting to write programs for Windows Phone 7 have had to rely on a software emulator to see how their programs will run. Starting next month, though, the first group of developers will get their hands on actual devices.

While Microsoft says it won't have enough phones for all developers, it is working to make sure that the devices aren't limited to just the big software developers.

  Developers to get Windows Phone 7 devices in July