Scientists generate 281-gigapixel cell map using electron microscope

Electron microscopes can produce incredibly detailed and even 3D views of sub-cellular structures, but often at the cost of losing the bigger picture. Researchers at Liedel University in the Netherlands, however, have leveraged a technique called virtual nanoscopy that enables researchers to observe the whole of a cell and its intricate details in a single image. With the method, the team stitches together nanometer resolution photographs of what's gone under the scope to create a map with adjustable zoom a la Google Maps. Their study created a 281-gigapixel image (packed with 16 million pixels per inch) of a 1.5-millimeter-long zebrafish embryo. If you'd like to take a gander at the ultra-high resolution fish or read up on the group's findings for yourself, check out the source links below.

Samsung Galaxy S3, S2 and Note getting Jelly Bean this year

Update estimates for what are literally Samsung's biggest phones have emerged, tipping the Galaxy S3 to get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in several months, with the Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Note to follow in the winter.
While Samsung remains tight-lipped on the subject, SamMobile cites mysterious "insiders" who have spilled the beans regarding the latest version of Google's mobile operating system. The flagship of the Samsung fleet -- the Galaxy S3 -- is apparently nearly there, with software tests having been completed. The wait now is for the final version and approval from Google.
The Galaxy S2 is reportedly undergoing Jelly Bean testing, with Samsung apparently keen to get the latest software onto the former king of Android smart phones.
There are worrying whispers of a 'value pack' update for the Galaxy S2, which would bring some of the new features from Jelly Bean but not a full software upgrade, though so far it would seem there's no reason to think that'll happen. The Galaxy Note is apparently in the same situation, and is being tested at the moment.
According to the site, it's unclear whether the Galaxy Note 2, which Samsung recently confirmed will be shown off later this month, will land running Ice Cream Sandwich or Jelly Bean.
The rumour goes that the S3 will get Jelly Bean in late Q3 or early Q4, which means the end of September or the beginning of October. The S2 and Note are tentatively pegged for an update between October and December.
Samsung's muddled attempts at updating the Galaxy S2 to Android 4.0 proved to be a shambles and left phone owners fuming, so here's hoping the next round of major updates goes a little more smoothly.

Facebook Introduces Mobile Ad Unit to Promote Apps

Just a few weeks after introducing its first mobile ad unit, Facebook has launched another one, this time designed to help mobile app developers market themselves.
Facebook is testing the new unit with a “limited set of beta partners” Vijaye Raji, a software engineer at the company, wrote on Facebook’s blog on Tuesday. The units drive users to new apps. If a user clicks on an ad and they don’t have the app already, they’ll be directed to the App Store or Google Play to download it.
The unit is automated; to buy an ad you merely have to fill out an online form and delineate which demo you’re trying to reach and what your budget is. Once you buy a unit, you can use Facebook’s analytics tools to assess its performance.
As Raji notes, there is clearly an audience for such a unit: In the past 30 days, Facebook has sent customers to the Apple App Store and Google Play 146 million times.
The introduction comes after Facebook introduced Sponsored Stories for the News Feed in June. A few independent studies have deemed the ads more effective than traditional desktop ads. Despite such success, investors appear skeptical of Facebook’s odds of maintaining its revenues via mobile ads.

Microsoft bulking up on staff for next-gen Surface devices

Microsoft is already moving on to the next generation of Surface products, as its jobs postings make pretty clear.

Microsoft is bulking up design teams for next-gen Surface devices, despite the pleas of PC partners like Acer.
Acer recently asked Microsoft to reconsider its Surface strategy, but Redmond seems to be doing just the opposite, as dozens of job postings on its career page attest. Some of the job postings seem to imply that Surface products are the true expressions of Microsoft's vision.
"The Surface Team focuses on building devices that fully express the Windows vision," a few of the job listings say.

And that's the whole point of Surface, isn't it? Microsoft needed to build its own next-generation PC because it didn't see that vision being expressed properly by its hardware partners.
Other oft-repeated phrases in the job listings are: "We are currently building the next generation and Surface needs you!" and "you will bring next generation Surface to life."
And not-too-subtle hints are dropped about upcoming devices. "Responsible for investigating and developing new materials...to ensure successful launch of products that utilize new materials."

Judge to Oracle, Google: Did you pay off bloggers?

The federal judge on the case wants to know if Google or Oracle (or both) paid commentators and bloggers during the legal battle.

Not to be outshined by Apple v. Samsung, there is still digital paperwork floating around for Oracle v. Google.
Judge William Alsup issued a brief but specific order on Tuesday afternoon from the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, demanding both parties to basically fess up if they have kept any journalists and/or commentators on the payroll during the duration of the case.
Here's the order, which much like Alsup's style in the courtroom, cuts right to the point:

The Court is concerned that the parties and/or counsel herein may have retained or paid print or internet authors, journalists, commentators or bloggers who have and/or may publish comments on the issues in this case. Although proceedings in this matter are almost over, they are not fully over yet and, in any event, the disclosure required by this order would be of use on appeal or on any remand to make clear whether any treatise, article, commentary or analysis on the issues posed by this case are possibly influenced by financial relationships to the parties or counsel.
Therefore, each side and its counsel shall file a statement herein clear identifying all authors, journalists, commentators or bloggers who have reported or commented on any issues in this case and who have received money (other than normal subscription fees) from the party or its counsel during the pendency of this action.

Both parties must respond with a full disclosure by Friday, August 17 at Noon PDT. Oracle v. Google: Order for Financial Disclosure