Feature: Add ability to notify user when new FreeCAD version available

[luzpaz]

If someone is opting to run telemetry, it's not a stretch to assume they are OK with being told when a new FreeCAD version is available. I propose that this feature be added to telemetry. That way if specific users are motivated enough to download the telemetry to use it then we could keep it out of core but still have it as an option.

[profoundmatter-design]

I support this approach.

If a user has already opted into telemetry, extending that mechanism to include update notifications is a reasonable and consistent use of that channel. Keeping it outside of core and tied to an opt-in feature avoids imposing anything on users who don’t want outbound connections, while still providing value to those who do.

The privacy concern is valid in principle, but it comes down to how this is implemented. This can be done in a minimal, non-invasive way:

A simple version check against a public endpoint (e.g., GitHub releases)
No unique identifiers, no device fingerprinting, no persistent tracking
A pull-only request (client checks occasionally, nothing runs in the background beyond that)
Clear documentation of what is being requested and when

This avoids “dialing home” in any meaningful sense, it’s just a lightweight request for version metadata.

From a usability and maintenance standpoint, this is beneficial. Users stay up to date more reliably, bug reports align with current versions, and security fixes propagate faster. At the same time, users who prefer zero network activity can simply leave the option disabled.

[semhustej]

This would make sense.

Upon Telemetry installation, user is asked to confirm which data he/she shares. An option about new available version could be added there, so if someone is not interested it is pretty easy to turn off.

[hyarion]

I agree that there's an overlap with users who are ok with telemetry and users who are ok with this feature but is it really the telemetry addons responsibility?

Why not just add it as an opt-in feature in the first start view in freecad instead?

[chennes]

I agree with @hyarion here -- from a software design perspective, we'd basically be writing an entirely new addon and sticking it inside Telemetry. There's no code overlap at all, and the Venn diagram of "People who want to send telemetry" and "People who want to be notified of updates" is not a circle.

[luzpaz]

@chennes @hyarion
That was my thought as well. BUT I was trying to avoid and side-step the potential uproar that has historically occurred from privacy oriented users if this functionality was proposed to Core. But if you insist, then I will open a ticket on Main for this feature.

[hyarion]

@chennes @hyarion
That was my thought as well. BUT I was trying to avoid and side-step the potential uproar that has historically occurred from privacy oriented users if this functionality was proposed to Core. But if you insist, then I will open a ticket on Main for this feature.

As long as we clearly state what it does and is opt-in then I don't really see the problem myself.

I do get your point but at the same time I haven't seen any uproar against addon manager which has the same functionality.

[chennes]

@mnesarco is working on a FreeCAD Launcher that basically inverts the system, and would provide install-on-demand access to new versions of FreeCAD. So I'm not sure I'd worry about it right now at all.

[luzpaz]

Hi @mnesarco, that's such cool news!
Would you mind linking this ticket to your PR when it's ready?

[mnesarco]

Hi @mnesarco, that's such cool news! Would you mind linking this ticket to your PR when it's ready?

Sure thing! Just a heads-up that the launcher is a bit more ambitious than a simple PR, it also manages addons and profiles. I’m working on it, but it will take some time before the version is ready for a public preview. I'll link the repo as soon as I have something close to alpha.

[luzpaz]

@profoundmatter-design would you be interested helping @mnesarco test this feature when it's ready for testing ?