2.40 Firmware Coming Soon, Will Support In-Game XMB and Trophies

PS3 owners have been waiting intently for a new firmware update from Sony. Yesterday, company spokesman Noel Silvia revealed that the company is already deep into development of the new firmware (v 2.40), and that gamers can expect it soon. Furthermore, he let slip that the update will definitely include support for the much-needed in-game XMB as well as Sony's new "trophies" achievement system. In response to a comment on the official Sony blog, Silvia had the following to say:

Eric’s working hard to get everything set for the launch of Firmware 2.40, including a video walkthrough. I can’t comment on when (as I don’t know the exactly date!), but I’m just as excited as all of you for it. Trophy Support + In-Game Messaging FTW!

The blog post, which was on the subject of customizable themes for the PS3 media bar, attracted some speculation about whether the new in-game XMB would support user-made custom icons. Silvia responded facetiously that no, it was unlikely that the new 2.40 firmware release would support custom designs, although that might be a possibility in the future.

Again, I say, “What is this In-Game XMB that you speak of?” Hypothetically speaking, of course…
I don’t have an exact answer, but I believe that the icons, notifiers, and other such pop-ups default to the standard basics, to ensure that they will always be legible. It’s possible that this may change in the future, but for now, I believe that it’s a legibility reason, rather than a technical one. Hope this helps to answer your question!

Whatever. We're just happy to hear that 2.40 is coming soon and that it has at least some of the features gamers have been clamoring for.