How do those who don't watch boards find out about firmware updates?

Question

Since 'Software Update' doesn't alert users to firmware updates, I wonder how those that don't monitor these boards and other 'Mac news' sites find out about firmware updates?
Yes, Boot Camp made headline news in many major newspapers and those who wanted to install it found they needed to update the firmware first.
But, had I not read about it elsewhere earlier, I would not have known about the second MBP firmware update (which, apparently, solves some of the 'whine' issues - I've had no whining but I like to keep my firmware, in particular, up to date!).
Just as a note to Apple - you've a database of all who have registered their MPB's (at least those with AppleCare if not those who simply run set-up with new Mac purchases). If firmware updates aren't included in the 'Software Updates' procedure, shooting off an email to those with machines that might be in need of firmware updates may save a world of grief to overworked phone support techs.

Answer 1

Yes, I'm familiar with the support page but my point is that not all (in act, likely very few) are familiar enough with that page to go to "Top Downloads" to find firmware updates.
On page 25 of the MacBook Pro Users Guide, Apple DOES suggest, in the next to the last paragraph, suggest "For support information, user discussion boards, and the latest Apple software downloads, go to www.apple.com/support."
But if a new user is having problems he or she is more likely than not to pick up the phone first - and although there's the 90-day phone support and 3 year phone support for those who purchase AppleCare (which new users may not - particularly if buying from, say, CompUSA or other stores who push 'extended warranties' even with the purchase of products whose manufacturers already provide LIFETIME warranties) Apple has thoughtfully provided automated Software Updates (which Windows switchers understand all too well!) but no automated way to be lead to firmware updates. It's my feeling that if firmware notification were included in SU notifications, or via email, it might reduce the number of phone calls and result in happier computers.
While I enjoy reading all the Mac news on a daily basis, a lot of users don't and there may be an even greater number who don't know the wheat from the chaff (or even know where to find the wheat!).
Some firmware updates are critical, some of minor importance, and some (more and more of late, it seems) just a bit cryptic (for instance, 1.01 says "This firmware update is for (MacBook Pro)/iMac (early 2006) computers with Intel processors only. It now runs on localized systems that use languages that read right to left." and then lists the languages supported - which do not include Hebrew or Arabic, two "languages that read right to left".
The only reason that I brought this up is that there are a number of sites that reported that the firmware update alleviates some of the 'whine' that some MBP users are reporting (and now I am reading of 'hum' issues - forget GarageBand! An hundred MBP's could replace a symphony!). Now is that true or not? Apple doesn't say - some users report yes, some no. And as there are no whine or hum issues on the iMac, I doubt 1.01 would 'solve' any of those problems with that machine (and interesting, too, that the "iMac (early 2006) Firmware Update 1.0.1" isn't in the "Top Downloads" section as is "MacBook Pro (early 2006) Firmware Update 1.0.1": what's up with that? Are there really more MBPs out there than Intel iMacs? Or are MBP owners running Windows in Arabic more than Intel iMac owners? Or just hopeful that the update does, indeed, help with the whine problem.
I keep getting off topic (sort of)...
...my point is that it would be simple to notify, and simpler for (in my opinion), Apple to notify customers of firmware updates.