These bootloader updates have been showing up as unselected for 5-7 days.
I tried selecting them so they would install a couple of days ago but the updates program crashed.
Now I'm not sure if I have to select them to get them to install or if they will eventually install on their own.
Do I have to select them? Or will they eventually install on their own?
Days Later
Many days later, there is still no clear answer to this, but when I check updates I see the following listed:
Additionally, I have no way to know if those listed are related to the original GRUB updates shown in the first snapshot. It's quite confusing.
However, when I check the User Interface (Software Updates) I don't see any available? (The unselected ones shown above no longer show up.)
My original question was: Do I have to explicitly choose these updates myself or do they install automatically at some point?
I'm still not sure.
4 Days Later
Today a kernel update showed up and the original GRUB updates showed up in the Software Updates UI list again.
However, they are still unselected.
Even after installing all the other updates they still show up.
Some Updates Cannot Be Selected
Finally, there are some updates that you cannot even select. The OpenOffice updates shown in the next image cannot be selected. (If you click the checkboxes nothing happens.) I'm guessing that these will be auto-updated later.
5 Days Later : The Definitive Answer
Today there are numerous updates and now the GRUB bootloader is indeed automatically selected for install.
Answer : The update process will actually auto-update these unselected items eventually on its own without the user having to choose them.