Sony officially reveals PS3 firmware 2.40 features, coming July 2

Following months of rumors, speculation, and – most of all – waiting, Sony has officially unveiled version 2.40 of the PlayStation 3's operating system and XrossMediaBar (XMB) interface. Joystiq got a look at it in action last week and can finally unzip our lips about what we saw.

In a nutshell, the update introduces most of the features we've seen floating around as rumors for some time. Here's the short list of what you can now do without exiting from games:

• In-game XMB (a quick tap of the PS button brings it up)
• View game-specific Trophies (We'll have more on this major feature at 8AM EST / 5AM PST)
  
• Time / date display
• Send text messages to PSN users on your friends list
• Access accessory settings, such as Bluetooth pairing and voice changer
• View and manage downloads
• Quits game directly from an icon under the "Game" section of the XMB
• Search the web using the Google Search option under "Network" (similar to the latest PSP firmware)
• Launch directly into another game from the one you're currently playing
• Play music tracks stored on the HDD in games that support this feature
• Access a new on-screen music player interface (when listening to your own tracks in supported titles)

Sony hasn't announced a release date for its latest firmware update, stating only that it will be "very soon." The official press release says the firmware is coming July 2 (this Wednesday!). There are quite a few rumored / hoped for features that aren't finding their way into this release. There are also a number of quibbles with the functionality of the features that did make the cut. We go in-depth with our likes and dislikes of firmware 2.40 right here.