1. The updatable software has a live update button in the upper-right corner (looks like a satellite dish) that, when clicked, connects to a server at URC to see if there are any updates to the software, IR database, or remote firmware. If there are any, it downloads and installs them.

2. Non-updatable software doesn't have the live update button (the satellite dish).

Note that at this time there is no non-updatable software for the MX-980. So, if you have the editor for that remote, you are all set and can update whenever there is one available.

Sean