We are aware that Minecraft version 1.8 (also known as the "Adventure Update") is available through semi-official means since late last week, after a Mojang developer released the update with the permission of the studio. If you're not interested in going through the file, however, you can now grab the update via the Minecraft launcher, which recently went live for all users.
We realize this doesn't affect our more tech-savvy users, but if you share our anxiety about downloading a game update that is secretly an illegal bestiality porno virus, you are now able to download the update for free of that particular worry.
[Thanks, Richard.]