Peter Maurer: Interesting - are you then using the Mac App Store URL to open the Updates page? macappstore://showUpdatesPage

It certainly makes sense to try to keep users aware of updates directly, instead of relying on them opening the App Store app. We're steering clear of that for now, but I understand the rationale.

Brent Royal-Gordon: Definitely - really, it's not even just "web services" but any services you don't entirely control. That includes the App Store, web services, and more.

Adrian: Showing new features when they're actually available makes sense, sure, but I'm not sure it makes sense to use a server-side data file to do that? It's not in any way wrong, of course, but if that were the only thing you used a server-based News window for, it'd be a bit much. Having it in place now gives you an Emergency Broadcast system too, so that's good.

As for motivating users, it's absolutely needed. Why wouldn't a user want free updates? Because users unfortunately tend to figure that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.