diff --git a/src/vector/platform/VectorBasePlatform.js b/src/vector/platform/VectorBasePlatform.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a988a4c7a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/vector/platform/VectorBasePlatform.js
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+// @flow
+
+/*
+Copyright 2016 Aviral Dasgupta and OpenMarket Ltd
+
+Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+    http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+limitations under the License.
+*/
+
+import BasePlatform from 'matrix-react-sdk/lib/BasePlatform'
+
+/**
+ * Vector-specific extensions to the BasePlatform template
+ */
+export default class VectorBasePlatform extends BasePlatform {
+    /**
+     * 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/vector/platform/WebPlatform.js b/src/vector/platform/WebPlatform.js
index c521cf6003..9fac6c4a05 100644
--- a/src/vector/platform/WebPlatform.js
+++ b/src/vector/platform/WebPlatform.js
@@ -16,13 +16,13 @@ See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 limitations under the License.
 */
 
-import BasePlatform from 'matrix-react-sdk/lib/BasePlatform';
+import VectorBasePlatform from './VectorBasePlatform';
 import Favico from 'favico.js';
 import request from 'browser-request';
 import dis from 'matrix-react-sdk/lib/dispatcher.js';
 import q from 'q';
 
-export default class WebPlatform extends BasePlatform {
+export default class WebPlatform extends VectorBasePlatform {
     constructor() {
         super();
         this.runningVersion = null;