Sony has gone right ahead and slapped a date on firmware update v2.40 for the PS3, which will bring with it in-game cross media bar (XMB) access.

It's coming pretty bloody soon, too. Wednesday, July 2nd in fact.

As well as in-game access to the XMB, the update will bring with it the 'trophy' feature. Sony has spilled a few more beans on that front. "Many online games will have gold, silver and bronze trophies – with platinum available for those who snag all three – all displayed on the XMB for everyone to see", Sony tells us.

The first title to make use of the trophy system will be Super Stardust HD. Shortly after launch a version of the game with the functionality already built in will become available. PS3 owners who already have the game will have to download a patch to be able to use it. Similarly, developers will be able to go back and patch other games that are already out in order to make the trophy system work with their games.

Here are the first party titles named as using the system so far; BUZZ! Quiz TV; LittleBigPlanet; MotorStorm Pacific Rift; NBA 09; PAIN; PixelJunk Eden; Resistance 2; SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation and Warhawk.

Sony's announcement asks, "Other competitive activities recognise winners with trophies – so why not gaming on PS3?" It might have been more honest to say, 'Microsoft has achievements, so why shouldn't we have something kinda similar?'

Third party titles will be able to utilise the trophy system, but none have been named so far. You can see more of the trophy system in the video below. If you want to see more of the XMB at work in-game, check out this earlier video. Among other things, it will give gamers access to a new Google search option right on the XMB, much like the one the PSP recently got.