Winrumors is reporting that Julien Schapman, a Windows Phone developer has identified a alternative Windows Phone 7 jailbreaking solution to that offered by the ChevronWP7 team, a tool that will also provide a suite of tools to better manage Windows Phone 7 devices.

Schapman is expected to release his Device Manager application after Microsoft release its first Windows Phone 7 update, ensuring that the exploit is not closed in the process.

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The tool will enable handset owners to manage applications, backup their device, explore the file system, add ringtones, sync their favourites and most importantly allow the side-loading of homebrew applications.

Schapman spells it out in an email to Winrumors:

“My unlock method is similar to that of ChevronWP7 in the way they both use a fake registration server, but my method is different and more reliable.

For example it automatically detects when a WP7 is plugged in and will check if this is a registered developer phone, if not it will register it once and for all, so the device will never re-lock like with ChevronWP7.”

The jailbreak isn’t a play to stick it to Microsoft, Schapman simply wants to create homebrew applications. By creating a tool that allows the side-loading of apps, other users will be able to install his apps without paying the $99 subscription that Microsoft charges handset owners to register a developer device.

The ChevronWP7 team recently met with Microsoft to discuss the possibility of allowing homebrew applications on Windows Phone 7 devices, Schapman has said he would pull his application if an official tool became available as a result of these talks.

Microsoft are due to drop their first update in February, perhaps by then we could see movements on Microsoft’s part to provide official means to side-load apps.