Updated: 7/2/08 3:47 PST
Sony has announced that it will release the new firmware update for the PS3 – it’s 2.40, in case you were counting – on July 2. Under it, players will be able to use the XrossMediaBar (XMB) to communicate with a vastly increased range of friends, now up to 100 contacts, as well as several other things, without leaving a game.
Users can press the PS button to pause the game, or set their status to “not available” when they don’t want to be distracted.
The other XMB changes include being able to mute the game soundtrack and substitute customized music from the console’s hard drive, sign into PlayStationNetwork and sign into a Google search.
The other big firmware addition is the introduction of trophies, similar to those on the Xbox360, for achievements in games.
Update: According to Gamesindustry.biz, Sony has temporarily pulled the update due to user reported issues. Sony plans to post the firmware update after further testing.
