We'll be the first to admit that we were just a tad excited by the official unveiling of Microsoft's Windows Phone 7 Series platform last month, but whilst we were thoroughly impressed by the software on show, we weren't expecting to see partner handsets until later in the year.
However, those expectations went out the window this past weekend when Microsoft's director of mobile communications Aaron Woodman appeared on the Engadget show with the world's first Windows Phone 7 series device.
The handset, an early prototype, is the work of South Korean manufacturer LG Electronics and provides a look at at least one Windows Phone 7 series form factor.
Featuring a QWERTY slider design, the handset seemingly targets the business user and despite making use of a familiar-looking form factor, looks particularly attractive as a result of the Zune-like Windows Phone 7 Series interface.
As per Microsoft's demonstration handsets shown last month, the LG device features the trio of required Windows Phone 7 Series buttons on its front face - back, home and search.
Other details remain few and far between, but Engadget points out that LG's handset is "just a hair thicker than an iPhone or Nexus One" and features a five megapixel camera with flash, a headphone jack and volume and power buttons.
With recent rumours suggesting that the first retail Windows Phone 7 Series products could arrive as soon as September, we can expect to see a bevy of supporting handsets appear over the next few months.
A brief video showing the LG prototype being handled is available to view at Engadget.com.
