Firmware 2.36 for the PlayStation 3 is now available to download. According to Eric Lempel, Director of PSN Operations, the minor firmware update improves system stability when playing PlayStation format software titles. In addition to announcing Firmware 2.36, Lempel also confirmed that PS3 Firmware 2.40 will include XMB access in-game, as well as the "trophies" feature. A release date for Firmware 2.40 has not been set but we can expect a post on the PlayStation.Blog closer to the time. As for the other speculated features, nothing official was mentioned.
Official PlayStation.Blog Post by Eric Lempel:
"A new PLAYSTATION 3 firmware update (v2.36) will be launching soon, improving system stability when playing select PlayStation format software titles. We’re also happy to officially report that the 2.40 system software update for PS3 will include "XMB" access in-game. The update will also include "trophies," an exciting new feature that we’ll be providing more details on soon, as well as some other new enhancements. We’ve talked about some of this on the blog previously and know that many of you can’t wait to get your hands on these features. You can expect us to share all of the official details shortly."