Want the full deets on how the long-awaited in-game XMB is going to work? Check out this video for a complete accounting. Hint: it includes streaming music into games. Joy!

Let’s hope 2.4 hits during E3 like everybody’s expecting. Between this and trophies I may need a clean pair of shorts.

UPDATE: 2.4 now confirmed for July 2.

[vis Playstation.Blog]

While we’re all sitting around waiting for the mythical PS3 firmware update with in-game XMB and 2D trophies that is rumored to be hitting this month, Sony has decided to tease us by putting the words “firmware” and “XMB” in a completely unrelated press release. Later this week PSP firmware 4.0 will be releasing, and it’s going to include Google Search right in the XMB. Definitely a really good idea — it’s bound to get people not using the browser (like myself) to give it a whirl again. Here’s the official word;

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced that the next system software update for PSP®(PlayStation®Portable) will be available this week. PSP system will be upgraded to firmware 4.00, which adds the Google™ search engine directly to the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) user interface, making Web searches easier and more convenient on PSP.

The Google search engine will be accessible under the XMB’s “Network” category through a new “Internet Search” icon. The new feature will deliver the same Google search results as when searching on www.google.com. The functionality also has an input history recall of up to 20 items for more efficient browsing. Working with Google to offer its superior search technology demonstrates SCEA’s commitment to further enhance the mobile entertainment experience on PSP system.

Fantastic — now where’s my damned PS3 update?