We have some good news for PlayStation 3 fans: details on firmware update v2.4 have just been released and the changes read like a PS3 fan's wish-list come true. This update is slated to hit your PS3 come July 2nd. So without further ado, let's go through what has been added.

General changes:

In-game XMB is here! Yes, it is finally here. We can now access the XrossMediaBar from within a game title by pressing the PS button on the PS3 controller

You can now read a message from a friend from the in-game XMB, and reply to the message as well

A welcome addition is that you can now jump across games from the within the in-game XMB. This reduces the need to jump back to the home screen and then launch another game from the home screen

Other features that you can access from within the in-game XMB includes the download feature and also the settings menu. Access to the settings menu from inside a game lets you activate the Bluetooth headset, from the in-game XMB directly

A minor thing but one long overdue: the clock and date are now visible from the XMB

The 2.4 update will also offer the ability to play custom music from within a game, with playback controls available as well

Taking a page from the v4.0 update to the PSP; Sony has added a Google search tool to the Network section of the XMB. This tool triggers search directly from the XMB, opening the search result page automatically

Interestingly, Eric Lempel of SCEA said that the in-game XMB will be supported by the majority of games available for the PS3. Hmmm. Majority better mean all in this case...

Also showcased was a new trophies feature. Quite similar to Xbox 360's achievement system; here's what we were told about trophies --

The Trophy System:

A new trophy collection icon has been added to the Games section of the XMB

Trophies will be categorized as per game titles, each game will have its own set of trophies. A percentage meter displays how many trophies you have unlocked in a particular title

Each trophy has a description which communicates details on how to unlock the trophy, which type of trophy it is, and when you won that particular trophy

A new PlayStation Network profile screen has been added. This profile looks similar to Gamercard. An interesting addition here is the element of a levelling system: winning trophies will add to your experience which helps you gain levels

There are four types of trophies: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Each type has a value that adds up to your level progress

The platinum trophy can only be won until you have unlocked and won all the bronze, silver and gold trophies in a game

The platinum trophy will "contribute significantly" toward reaching the next level

Trophies can be patched into existing titles (yes!)

Pixeljunk Eden and Super Stardust already support trophies. Gamers will be asked to download a patch to Super Stardust in order to enable trophies

Much like XBL, developers can only have a certain amount of trophies per game depending on it's type (whether it is a retail game or a PSN title)

You can also compare your trophies with what your friends have won.

Comparing friends has three options: Create Message (text), Compare Trophies, or Start New Chat

The following titles were said to support the trophies system:

BUZZ! Quiz TV

LittleBigPlanet

MotorStorm Pacific Rift

NBA '09

PAIN

PixelJunk Eden

Resistance 2

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation

Warhawk

What's more -- we hear that these updates do not cover everything that the 2.4 firmware will bring to the PS3. Additional features will either be revealed at a later date or will be left to us to discover, as Easter eggs.
GTA4, MGS4, and now firmware 2.4 -- these are good times to be a PlayStation 3 owner! You can check out a developer walthrough of these features yourself, just hit these two videos:

Part I showing the in-game XMB

Part II showing the trophy system