The good news is, well, you've seen the good news. The bad news is, if you can't see the good news ... there is no good news. Speaking through semi-official community site Three Speech, SCEE has released a statement reiterating that PlayStation 3 update 2.41 (the good news) has been released, fixing the bricking issue associated with update 2.40. The statement attributes affected 2.40 users' inability to load the console's XMB to "certain system administrative data ... contained on the HDD." Spooky.

Unfortunately, if you're the proud parent of one of a "limited number" of bricked PS3s, you're stuck with your brick, a fix, and no way to wed the two. SCEE recommends contacting Customer Service (presumably for a new or repaired unit) -- or you can wipe your PS3 hard drive on your own (losing all data in the process) and try reinstalling. This is, if you haven't guessed already, the bad news.

With the help of PSN director of operations, Eric Lampel, PlayStation.Blog has compiled a Firmware v2.40 FAQ, answering many of our most common questions. In most cases, with "No." Voice messaging? No. In-game web browsing? Negative. In-game display settings? Nope. In-game shopping? Uh-uh. In-game music streaming? Pfft. Cross-game invites? Sorry. Well, okay, what about Trophies -- will they make a funky little noise when unlocked (like Achievements!)? Of course not ... er, wait a minute: "I got an email from Eric asking me to update this post; there *will* be a sound effect when a user unlocks a trophy. You'll be hearing it soon enough. Hopefully a lot."

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

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.

PS3 Fanboy has received a pair of purported images that showcases more views of the PlayStation 3 profile system included in the upcoming firmware v2.40 update. The image above is an alleged glimpse at what another player's "card" will look like when you view it. A second image claims to feature the "third page" of your own profile, which includes a basic "About Me" field. Check out PS3 Fanboy for the full scoop.

We still don't know when we'll get our dual-shocked mitts on PS3 firmware 2.40, but, if a recent post from CVG is to be believed, we now know what you'll be able to do through the sexy new in-game XMB. The features, which they say came from a super-secret inside source, include:

• View, send, receive messages
• Manage downloads
• Set the vibration feature of the controller
• Manage Bluetooth devices
• Use the voice changer

...and several others that we've put after the break. Assuming the list is legit, what do you think? Is this the in-game functionality you've been pining for?

[Via PSPF]

PS3 Fanboy got a handful of tips this evening, purportedly sharing some screens of the PS3's long-promised "trophy" system, the console's would-be Gamerscore equivalent. From the looks of these screens – which have a couple things going for them: they're not blurry and that Clank avatar is real – the trophy system includes something that strongly resembles a Gamercard, including total number of trophies gathered along with a "Level" ostensibly gathered by collecting trophies of varying values.

PS3 Fanboy has a couple more pics, along with some extra rumors regarding the console's in-game XMB ("some things will require you to leave the game"), but we're guessing we won't know anything for sure until E3 rolls around next month. What say ye, internet detectives?

Sony has just confirmed that PlayStation 3 firmware update v2.40 will finally add in-game XMB and trophy support -- but we'll have to wait for update v2.36 first. (Yay for improved "system stability" while playing retro PlayStation games!) Although there's almost no other information to report at this time -- just a hint of "other new enhancements" -- at least we know the rumor is true. Definitely expect more details soon, hopefully before E3 next month.

Sony has announced that PSP will graduate to firmware 4.00 this week, marking the unexpected integration of the Google search engine ... directly into the XMB! Woah, Sony. Slow down. We're still recovering from update v3.95's option to quit Remote Play without turning off the PS3.

The latest feature you didn't know you needed and will seldom use promises authentic Google.com search results (which we presume will open in the clunky PSP browser if selected), with an input history of up to 20 items, so you can check up on your exes, your exes' exes, and their exes day to day with ease and efficiency under the guise of "portable gaming." But if the forthcoming Google search ain't sellin' you on "SCEA's commitment to further enhance the mobile entertainment experience on PSP," then perhaps you'll want to crack open v4.00's second easter egg later this week: the ability to change viewing speed -- to faster and slower settings -- during playback of videos stored on a Memory Stick. Huzzah!

For those with the time and ambition, the PlayStation Blog has posted a how-to guide on making themes for the PS3 XMB. Written by Noel Silvia, a graphic artist on the PSN team, the guide explains everything that users need. The required software for the task is an image editing application and extracting the files from HowToMakePS3Themes.zip.

We've yet to try making a custom theme ourselves, but we'd certainly like to know how people make out. For those considerably less ambitious, themes are also available by checking the PSN Store.

More rumors regarding the long-awaiting, promised in-game XMB for the PlayStation 3. A member of the Max Console forums has posted a handful of images and videos what is reportedly the XMB working during BioShock, as well as trophies for the game. We've embedded one of the videos after the break. While certainly more convincing than some of the mockups we've seen (think: MS paint), we still remain skeptical.

After all of the fuzzy promises, teasing, and schoolyard taunts, rumor has it that the PlayStation 3 may soon be getting a number of long overdue upgrades, from trophies (read: achievements) to the hotly demanded in-game XMB, all as part of the console's upcoming firmware 2.4.

Originally reported by videogaming247, we followed up with our own sources who, while not wanting to be named, likewise confirmed the rumor. However, even if true, the timing of the impending update remains a mystery, much like the Bermuda Triangle, crop circles, and Home.

Peter Dille – Senior Vice President for PlayStation Network ... oh, and marketing – wants you to relax. He knows a lot of us (all of us?) are frustrated at how slowly things seem to be moving on the Sony front, so he's got a message of Hope: 2008 is your year, PS3 owners. Not only are there a couple of big games coming your way, but some of those long overdue features you keep hearing about (... and hearing about and ...) are finally coming.

The comically overdue in-game XMB is, well ... it's still coming, along with other PSN upgrades like "accomplishments" and Home. Also coming: a video service because, y'know, Sony owns its own movie studio; Dille says "it's already been confirmed that we'll be offering a video service for PS3 in a way that separates the service from others you've seen or used." And how about those PSN cards some of you have been waiting for? Retailers will carry them in $20 and $50 denominations "starting this spring." Our guess: you'll be waiting until E3.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

SCEA just updated their Flickr page (aren't they so web savvy these days?) with an intriguing image: shirts that proudly display the phrase "in-shirt XMB." Apparently, Sony's picked up a sense of humor these days. We read this either one of two ways:

• ZOMG, in-game XMB confirmed!!!1
• Sony is just teasing the gaming community in a cruel, but humorous way

In-game XMB has been one of the most requested features for the PS3 since its inception. Currently, gamers are forced to quit games in progress in order to do things like check which friends are online, read a message or play music. This much-awaited feature has been promised for "this year." According to our watches, that includes now. Stay tuned.

[Thanks, Matt!]