Microsoft is looking to give more potential Windows Phone 7 developers the chance to work on crafting apps for the platform, as it expands availability of developer handsets to 24 countries worldwide.

Microsoft will offer the developer smartphones though Zones, Inc, which the company earlier tapped to provide off-contract, though still carrier-locked retail WP7 handsets.

To help offset a steep $500+ cost for the developer models, Microsoft has programs in place to offer price breaks for those in need of assistance. This financial help, as well as the larger pool of developers who will now have access to the tools they need, will ideally bring some new talent to the table and help increase the availability of high-quality apps for the platform.

Anyone interested in learning more about the program should check out Microsoft’s App Hub.

Source: WPCentral