According to Jim Cordeira over at Gaming-Age, the long-awaited firmware 2.4 update for PlayStation 3 will hit later this summer, complete with a universal friends list and in-game XMB functionality.

While Sony has yet to comment, it’s no secret that a major firmware release is due out soon. Back in March, SCEE UK head Ray Maguire made mention of 2.4, but did not provide specifics - aside from confirming that the update would hit in the summer and include “in-game communication.”

An EA employee who goes by the alias of “evilone” on NeoGAF gave credence to Jim’s report, noting that “there is more then just in-game XMB coming in 2.40.”

We’re still cautiously filing this under rumor, but there’s a 99.9 percent chance it’s all true. No doubt.

Thanks krazyking for the tip!

PS3 In-Game XMB is coming [Gaming-Age]

Read more: Maguire: In-game Communication Coming To PS3 This Summer, Confirmed: PS3 Firmware 2.4 To Feature In-Game XMB, Trophies, PS3 Firmware 2.20 To Feature Portable Copy Functionality, Rumor: Screenshot Capture To Be Added In PS3 Firmware 2.5, Sony: PS3 In-Game XMB Being Worked On