Channel Beat: Inside Microsoft's New Windows 10 Update

This week Microsoft announced a big Windows 10 Update, which will be available on Aug. 2.

Microsoft apparently accidentally disclosed the date of update but confirmed it in an announcement.

Dubbed the Anniversary Update, Microsoft promises new features for both businesses and consumers, including Windows Ink and Cortana.

The OS should also be faster and more power-efficient.

Microsoft's current free Windows 10 upgrade offer expires July 29.

Dell is promising channel partners seamless deal registration and sales coverage on day one of its merger with EMC, and is encouraging partners to sign on with EMC's Business Partner Program.

However, solution providers doubt that the transition will be without speed bumps.

Dell -- which does about 40 percent of its business through the channel -- expects the company to establish a single partner program in 2017.

EMC does about 60 percent of its business through the channel.

Cisco bought cloud-based security specialist CloudLock for $293 million this week in hopes of helping channel partners accelerate cloud adoption for customers.

CloudLock specializes in cloud access security broker technology.

The deal marks the fourth security vendor acquisition in the past 12 months for Cisco.