Kernel updates not shown when using APT

[Dan Ursu]

I'm running Linux Mint 18 Cinnamon 64-bit, although I believe this problem persists across all versions of Linux Mint. Kernel updates are not shown when using APT, or any tool other than the mint update manager. I am not 100% sure if this is a bug or a feature though ;)

How to reproduce (100% reproducible):

1) Have a kernel update available (ex: fresh install of Linux Mint).

2) Have mint update policy set to "Always update everything", just to be sure.

3) Run:
        sudo apt-get update
        sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
   Notice that no update to the kernel is shown or installed.

4) Refresh the mint update manager. It should show only one update as available - a kernel update.

The cause of the problem:

Linux Mint uses its own linux-kernel-generic metapackage instead of Ubuntu's linux-generic metapackage. Mint's metapackage, however, always points to the oldest kernel version.

Potential solution to the problem (if it is indeed unintentional):

Have Ubuntu's linux-generic metapackage installed instead of linux-kernel-generic. Perhaps this could be made the default in the next version of Linux Mint.