Microsoft is to introduce a significant update to its dedicated online gaming service Xbox Live this Spring, according to reports. Version 3.0 of the service is rumoured to bring with it a number of interesting and handy enhancements, unconfirmed details of which have squirmed their way onto the ever informative Internet. We expect users will welcome the additions with open arms...

Key supposed areas of focus for the update include added communication functions and upgrades that centre around team and clan support.

On the communications side, Microsoft is rumoured to be introducing voice and text messaging, allowing players to send and receive voice and text messages in any Xbox game that supports this capability - voicemail is also apparently coming. As for clan features, players will reportedly be able to come together to create a single entity or unit - importantly in this respect, statistics tracking is being updated. As of Xbox Live 3.0, stats and records for teams created for online challenges can be carried through subsequent multiplayer bouts, according to the rumours. Additionally, it's being suggested that Xbox Live 3.0 will come with "off site" storage, players able to store up to 32K of personal data on Xbox Live servers - one plus here is that you'd be able to access such data from any Xbox on Xbox Live - and that there'll also be a function introduced allowing users to transfer information across four "family" feature-supporting titles - e.g. you could create a boxer in one game and then use the same fighter in three other titles, or something along those lines.

Rumour has Xbox Live 3.0 sounding a saucy little minx, but at present details remain unverified. Frustratingly, Microsoft was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.