diff --git a/src/BasePlatform.js b/src/BasePlatform.js
index 2b5e89942e..aed568552a 100644
--- a/src/BasePlatform.js
+++ b/src/BasePlatform.js
@@ -38,4 +38,21 @@ export default class BasePlatform {
 
     displayNotification(title: string, msg: string, avatarUrl: string) {
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Check for the availability of an update to the version of the
+     * app that's currently running.
+     * If an update is available, this function should dispatch the
+     * 'new_version' action.
+     */
+    pollForUpdate() {
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Update the currently running app to the latest available
+     * version and replace this instance of the app with the
+     * new version.
+     */
+    installUpdate() {
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/components/structures/MatrixChat.js b/src/components/structures/MatrixChat.js
index 9b37871ba9..8582b85d12 100644
--- a/src/components/structures/MatrixChat.js
+++ b/src/components/structures/MatrixChat.js
@@ -105,6 +105,8 @@ module.exports = React.createClass({
 
             version: null,
             newVersion: null,
+            hasNewVersion: false,
+            newVersionReleaseNotes: null,
 
             // The username to default to when upgrading an account from a guest
             upgradeUsername: null,
@@ -469,6 +471,12 @@ module.exports = React.createClass({
             case 'load_completed':
                 this._onLoadCompleted();
                 break;
+            case 'new_version':
+                this.onVersion(
+                    payload.currentVersion, payload.newVersion,
+                    payload.releaseNotes
+                );
+                break;
         }
     },
 
@@ -961,11 +969,12 @@ module.exports = React.createClass({
         this.showScreen("settings");
     },
 
-    onVersion: function(current, latest) {
+    onVersion: function(current, latest, releaseNotes) {
         this.setState({
             version: current,
             newVersion: latest,
-            hasNewVersion: current !== latest
+            hasNewVersion: current !== latest,
+            newVersionReleaseNotes: releaseNotes,
         });
     },
 
@@ -1100,7 +1109,9 @@ module.exports = React.createClass({
 
             var topBar;
             if (this.state.hasNewVersion) {
-                topBar = <NewVersionBar version={this.state.version} newVersion={this.state.newVersion} />;
+                topBar = <NewVersionBar version={this.state.version} newVersion={this.state.newVersion}
+                    releaseNotes={this.state.newVersionReleaseNotes}
+                />;
             }
             else if (MatrixClientPeg.get().isGuest()) {
                 topBar = <GuestWarningBar />;