Following the newly updated PlayStation Store, Sony Computer Entertaiment America marketing VP Peter Dille said that in-game functionality of the PlayStation 3's XMB interface will be available sometime this year.

In an update to SCEA's PlayStation Blog, Dille said that the long-awaited integration of the PlayStation 3's XMB user interface with games would arrive this year, allowing for more streamlined communication for users engaged in play. The XMB is the PlayStation 3's front-end navigation system which players use to navigate features such as downloadable games, friends list, music and video.

The company had previously announced that the PlayStation 3's firmware update 2.4, aimed for a summer release, would improve in-game communication. Dille did not specify a particular firmware update or release window for the in-game XMB functionality.

Moreover, Dille hinted at plans in the works for other community-related services coming to the PlayStation Network and PS3 this year. "[The services] will be designed to allow more community development and collaborative gameplay as well as recognize and reward you for your gameplay accomplishments across a broad portfolio of PS3 games," he wrote.

The executive also announced that PlayStation Cards are now shipping to retailers in $20 and $50 denominations. Already available in several overseas territories, the cards allow customers to purchase items from the PlayStation Store without the need of a conventional credit card.

As promised last week, Sony Computer Entertainment has delivered PlayStation 3 owners with updated firmware. Bringing the system up to 2.30, the downloadable update packs DTS-HD Master Audio and High Resolution Audio support for Blu-ray playback, as well as the redesigned PlayStation Store.

With the revamp of the online marketplace now complete, its weekly updates will resume this Thursday. Downloadable offerings will include Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, the second Warhawk expansion pack, and the past few weeks of Rock Band content, complete with the new Motley Crue single.

To obtain the new firmware, internet-connected system owners can use the PS3's "System Update" option or check out SCEA's sluggishly-updated support page.

Sony has announced that next week's release of the PlayStation 3's 2.30 firmware will allow the console to play the DTS-HD Master Audio and High Resolution Audio tracks contained on some Blu-ray movies.

Along with the new Blu-ray functionality, the v2.30 firmware will include the PlayStation Store redesign that was revealed in late March.

"These updates further demonstrate how the future-proof PS3 continues to evolve as a gaming and home entertainment system with the flexibility to deliver the newest technology innovations without requiring further investment from consumers," the company claimed today.

Sony detailed the latest update for the PlayStation 3 firmware, set to go live in the next few days, on the PlayStation Blog today.

The update, which brings PS3 firmware to version 2.20, adds support for Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0, also known as BD-Live. Blu-ray discs which support the feature allow users to connect to the internet while playing the discs and obtain additional content and special features.

The first Blu-ray movies to take advantage of BD-Live are The 6th Day and Walk Hard, slated for release on April 8.

The update adds subtitle support for DivX files, as well as the ability to play DivX and WMV format files that are over two gigabytes in size. The new firmware also features a resume play to DVD or Blu-ray playback, allowing users to resume play of a disc from the point it was stopped, even if the disc was ejected.

Finally, v2.20 will allow users to copy PS3 music and photo playlists to a PSP, and adds a "Save Target" option to the PS3 internet browser which enables users to save files from web pages.

An upcoming firmware update for the PlayStation 3 will integrate in-game communication into the console's operating system, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe managing director told MCV.

The PS3's current 2.10 firmware does not allow users to send or receive messages within all games, though certain titles support both voice and text communication.

Speaking on the momentum of the console, Maguire noted that sales of the PlayStation 3 would be bolstered by in-game communication, to be implemented via firmware update 2.4 this summer.

However, Sony refused to clarify whether or not the addition of in-game communication means integration with the XMB interface. "I'm afraid we are not releasing any further information with regards to firmware version 2.4 at this time," a representative informed Next-Gen.