關於 grow in popularity ，我們在網路上蒐集到這些相關的討論、資訊與評價

Apple 2021 Q2 電話法說會摘要

照慣例電話會議一上來就是Apple CEO Tim Cook與CFO Luca Maestri 把主要財務數字炫耀一番，畢竟Q2營收的年成長率54%，太亮眼了。以Apple這種體量的公司，如果將其當作一個國家，營收對比GDP，如此一家私人公司足以排進世界前15國。

對我們股東來說一個CFO揭露的重要訊息是： We ended the quarter with over $204 billion in cash plus marketable securities. We issued $14 billion of new term debt and retired $3.5 billion of term debt leaving us with total debt of almost $122 billion. As a result, net cash was $83 billion at the end of the quarter.

我把Q&A部分放到最前面，CEO與CFO的開場摘要則放到最後。

Q&A部分

許多關於供應鏈是否存在短缺或不足的問題，現代供應鍊大神Tim Cook全都語焉不詳，只強調Q2他們不存在material shortage。

另外就是有提到中國市場成長力道強勁，且2/3的中國iPad和Mac買家都是第一次購買蘋果產品的用戶，這對Apple來說是讓他們感到樂觀的現象。

同樣的，關於Apple Service Business部分Tim Cook一樣東拉西扯就是不肯提供更多訊息，頂多只說從去年開始Apple App Store與開發者的抽成費率降了15%。

還有Apple這次與Facebook鬧翻的隱私權問題，在這個恐怕重創FB營運的決策上，Tim Cook依然官腔滿滿，聲稱「Apple在做對的事」，他們就是要給用戶選擇保護自己隱私的權利，無關Apple或任何其他公司。（有點此地無銀三百兩）

值得一提的是，Tim又補充：「即便沒多少用戶選擇不被隱私追蹤，蘋果也堅持要提供這個功能」（這是說絕大多數用戶不需要這個功能，Apple也堅持要花費成本做下去？你還跟我說是利益用戶而不是針對其他公司？）

Tim Cook 開場：
1. new March quarter records for both revenue and earnings, besting our year ago revenue performance by 54%.

2. iPhone, which grew 66% year- over-year driven by the strong popularity of the iPhone 12 family.

3. iPad grow very strong double digits to its highest March quarter revenue in nearly a decade.

4. In fact, the last three quarters for Mac have been its three best quarters ever
Wearables, Home and Accessories, which grew by 25% year-over-year.

5. Services. We achieved growth of 27% year-over-year and set new records for services in each of our geographic segments.
Over the next five years, we will invest $430 billion, creating 20,000 jobs in the process.

CFO Luca Maestri開場：

1. Our revenue reached a March quarter record of $89.6 billion, an increase of over $31 billion or 54% from a year ago.

2. Products revenue was a March quarter record of $72.7 billion, up 62% over a year ago.

3. Our services set an all-time record of $16.9 billion, growing 27% over a year ago. ( App Store, cloud services, music, video, advertising and payment services. Our new service offerings, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News Fitness+)

4. Company gross margin was 42.5%, up 270 basis points from last quarter driven by cost savings, a strong mix and favorable foreign exchange. Products gross margin was 36.1%, growing 100 basis points sequentially also thanks to cost savings and FX, partially offset by seasonal loss of leverage. Services gross margin was 70.1%, up 170 basis points sequentially and mainly due to a different mix. Net income of $23.6 billion, diluted earnings per share of $1.40 and operating cash flow of $24 billion were all March quarter records by a wide margin.

5. During the March quarter, we added more than 40 million paid subs sequentially, and we have now reached more than 660 million paid subscriptions across the services on our platform. This is up $145 million from just a year ago and twice the number of paid subscriptions we are only 2.5 years ago.

6. Apple Watch continues to extend its reach, with nearly 75% of the customers purchasing Apple Watch during the quarter being new to the product.

7. Mac. We set an all-time revenue record of $9.1 billion, up 70% over last year, and grew very strongly in each geographic segment with all-time revenue records in Europe and rest of Asia Pacific and March quarter records in the Americas, Greater China and Japan. This amazing performance was driven by the very enthusiastic customer response to our new Macs powered by the M1 chip.

8. iPad performance was also outstanding with revenue of $7.8 billion up 79%.

9. And UCHealth, a large health care provider in Colorado, was able to reduce per patient vaccination time from 3 minutes to only 30 seconds largely by moving from PC stations to iPhones

10. We ended the quarter with over $204 billion in cash plus marketable securities. We issued $14 billion of new term debt and retired $3.5 billion of term debt leaving us with total debt of almost $122 billion. As a result, net cash was $83 billion at the end of the quarter.

11. we were also able to return nearly $23 billion to shareholders during the March quarter. This included $3.4 billion in dividends and equivalents and $19 billion through open market repurchases of 147 million Apple shares.

12. This will cause a steeper sequential decline than usual. Second, we believe supply constraints will have a revenue impact of $3 billion to $4 billion in the June quarter.
https://yuanyu.idv.tw/2021/05/03/apple-2021-q2-電話法說會摘要/

[News] Zynga ประกาศ เกมปลูกผัก FarmVille เตรียมปิดตัวลง ในวันที่ 31 ธ.ค. นี้
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Zynga ได้ประกาศว่า เตรียมปิดให้บริการ FarmVille ในสิ้นปีนี้ โดยตัวเกมจะยังสามารถเล่นได้จนถึงวันที่ 31 ธ.ค. 2020 ส่วนการซื้อของในแอปจะสามารถซื้อได้จนถึงวันที่ 17 พ.ย.
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ซึ่งการตัดสินใจของทาง Zynga ในครั้งนี้ก็มาจากการยุติการสนับสนุนและอัปเดต Flash Player บนเว็บบราวเซอร์ และ Facebook ของทาง Adobe เป็นผลให้ต้องยุติการสนับสนุนเกมที่สร้างจาก Flash ทั้งหมด
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โดยในบล็อคทาง Zynga ได้ขอบคุณชุมชนชาวเกมที่สนับสนุนมาตลอด 11 ปี ซึ่ง FarmVille นั้น เปิดให้บริการครั้งแรกเมื่อเดือน มิ.ย. ปี 2009 และมีภาคต่อมาแล้วหลายภาค อาทิ FarmVille 2, FarmVille 2: Country Escape, FarmVille 2: Tropic Escape, รวมถึง FarmVille 3 ที่กำลังจะเปิดให้บริการในเร็วๆ นี้ ซึ่งตัวเกมได้รับทั้งความนิยมและเป็นความทรงจำดีๆ จากระบบเกมการเล่นที่ติดหนึบ และให้ผู้เล่นได้ร้องขอให้เพื่อนช่วยเล่นด้วย ทำให้ในเดือน มี.ค. ปี 2010 FarmVille มียอดผู้เล่นต่อเดือนสูงถึง 83.76 ล้านคนเลยทีเดียว
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อย่างไรก็ตาม การปิดตัวของ FarmVille ภาคแรกสุด อาจจะเป็นการสูญเสียเพียงเศษเสี้ยวส่วนเดียวของ Zynga ที่ยังคงเติบโตอย่างต่อเนื่อง แม้ว่าจะมีการระบาดของ COVID-19 โดยหุ้นของ Zynga เพิ่มสูงขึ้นกว่า 55.9% และมีการเข้าซื้อกิจการของสตูดิโอต่างๆ อาทิ Peak Games ในราคาสูงถึง 1.8 พันล้านดอลลาร์
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Source: https://gamerant.com/farmville-shutting-down/
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แค่เติมเงินก็ได้ Steam Wallet แล้ว >> GetSteamWallet.com
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Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War สั่งจองล่วงหน้าลด 10% เหลือ $53.99 ประมาณ 1690 บาท (BattleNet) ดูที่นี่ - https://bit.ly/31uAauU
[News News Zynga announces the FarmVille Vegetable Growth game. Prepare to close itself on 31 Dec. .. This is it.
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Zynga has announced that she is preparing to close for FarmVille service at the end of the year. The game will still be available until 31 Dec. 2020 App shopping section will be available until 17 May. Y.
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The decision of Zynga this time is based on ending support and updating Flash Player on Adobe's web browser and Facebook. In effect, the end of all Flash-generated game support.
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In the Zynga blog, thanks to the gaming community who has been supporting for 11 years. FarmVille is first served in June. Y. 2009 and there are several later sections. FarmVille 2, FarmVille 2: Country Escape, FarmVille 2: Tropic Escape, including FarmVille 3 that will be opened soon. The game is all taken care of. Popularity and good memories from a clingy game system and players requesting friends to play. Make the month ahead. .. 2010 FarmVille has 83.76 million players per month.
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Nevertheless, the closing of FarmVille, the first part, could be the loss of only Zynga, the only part of Zynga that continues to grow, despite the COVID-19 outbreak by Zynga's shares, increasing by 55.9 % and having. Acquisition of studios including Peak Games for up to $ 1.8 billion.
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Source: https://gamerant.com/farmville-shutting-down/
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Just top up Steam Wallet Wallet GetSteamWallet.com
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One more date added to the long (way to long) losing streak, seems like something is never ticking right in each possible ways.

I truly feel incomplete and arrived to the point where i’m not even focused or ready to fight against anyone but myself questioning a lot of things about my future each passing days.

I first arrived here (One Championship) with the goal of pursuing my kickboxing journey and see where my path would be headed to.

But I now think that it might be the right time for me to turn back and take a look at where my real instincts are meant to be focused on.

People come and go depending on your results and popularity, but what never left me and always stood beside me since my first beginnings are the valors that Muaythai gifted me.

I have no shame for not having a clean sheet because of the decisions i’ve made during the few past years.
I feel like those years actually gave me the gift to grow mature as a person and gave me back the taste to pursue as an athlete.

I believe that no matter what dark place you might feel you’re stuck at, life will always be there to induce you in it’s on way.

To end this,
time has come to sharpen back those elbows and grind back those sweeps.

Thank you all for the endless support.

#BackToMuaythai

Get ‘Asiany’ Merch at our new merch store!: https://standard.tv/kentobento

Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/kentobento

★ THE EAST ASIAN ACCENT TEST (Can you tell accents apart?): https://youtu.be/F-lABs4nJ_w
★ 'Asian Eyes' Are More Common Than You Think: https://youtu.be/WxTnVWgOGLc
★ Asians Can’t Grow Facial Hair: https://youtu.be/3_bG1kbzZYY
★ My Asian Facial Hair Is REAL OR FAKE?: https://youtu.be/Inz1c-veurA
★ What Kind of 'Asian Eyes' Do You Have? (Test Yourself): https://youtu.be/wsNaBwrL9hg
★ Why Are Asians Yellow-Skinned?: https://youtu.be/rVcNy7bJyww
★ Where Are The Asian Borders?: https://youtu.be/vPupwlZlNMY
★ 10 REASONS Why Asians Don't Get FAT: https://youtu.be/xIqJR6xfMro

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10 REASONS HAVING FACIAL HAIR IS OVERRATED FOR ASIAN GUYS (MOVEMBER)

Many Asian guys dread Movember - a global movement that encourages men all over the world to grow moustaches in support of combating prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health challenges.

As the stereotype goes, Asian’s can’t grow facial hair, or at least find it very hard to, and unlike some other Asian stereotypes, this one is kind of true.

I actually did a video a few months ago on Asians not being able to grow facial hair and I received quite a few comments and questions from unhappy Asian guys longing for more than just baby hairs.

But you know, I feel its overrated. It seems like the universe likes to screw around with us because there are many Asian guys who can’t grow facial hair but would really like to, and then there’s me, an Asian guy who CAN grow facial hair, but never cared for having that ability.

Here’s 10 reasons why facial hair is overrated (for Asian guys).

1) Time

This one’s the most obvious one. It takes time, to maintain facial hair., Maintaining a well-groomed beard, or having to shave everyday takes time; time that’s better spent sleeping in, reading the paper or checking emails.

2) Cuts & Irritations

I don’t have this problem because I never shave.

But for most jobs, one is actually expected to look presentable which means frequent shaving, and thus a higher likelihood for cuts or irritations.

3) Career

A lot of jobs require a fresh face, especially in Asia. In fact, a study has shown that 84% of HR professionals agree that clean-shaven, facially hairless employees, have a much higher chance of being promoted than those with beards, moustaches and stubble.

So for those who can’t really grow facial hair.....who cares! You’re naturally one step closer to rising the ranks anyway.

4) Ageing

People often make fun of guys who can’t grow facial hair for having young looking faces.

But, really? You’re making fun of someone because they look youthful? How many people would kill to look young for their age?

Although I guess the counter to that is that asians never age, so there’s nothing to worry about. That’s a misconception. Asians do age slowly, but up to a certain point; maybe to their early 30’s, and then BAM! Oldie.

5) Food Magnet

Food. Beard. Magnet.

6) Female Perspective

Yes some studies have shown that a fair share of women do like facial hair on a guy, but this viewpoint is primarily directed towards white guys. Out of the women who are into Asian guys however, I think they prefer a clean shaven look. Especially Asian girls. From my experience, Asian females seem too not be a fan.

And for non-Asian females who are into Asian guys, they don’t care, they really don’t. If they’re into Asian dudes, they probably even prefer a hairless, smooth appearance.

7) Scratchiness

It’s not pleasant for a girl when your rough stubble cheese grates across her delicate face. That scratchiness can be really irritating for her.

8) Moustaches

When it comes to moustaches, and assuming you’re an Asian guy, do the world a favour and don’t attempt to grow one. Asians just don’t look good in those soup strainers.

Do you really wanna be looking like an Asian pedophile?

9) Celebrities

If you’re bothered by your lack of facial hair, you’re probably somewhat influenced by Hollywood and western pop culture. But even so, there are a number of heartthrob stars who are as facially sparse as the average Asian.

To name a few, Harry Styles, Michael Cera, Justin Bieber ....okay maybe they aren’t the manliest of men, but you can’t deny their popularity with girls. So if that’s your concern, it’s really no big deal.

10) Does It Even Matter?

'Nuff said.

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Vince Carter versus Allen Iverson is the kind of marquee matchup the NBA has been craving since the days of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

As two of the NBA's most exciting young stars, they are dazzling spectators and TV viewers with limitless creativity and breathtaking moves in the Toronto Raptors-Philadelphia 76ers playoff series.

"This matchup is great, and people are getting turned on to it," said NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik, who was at Philadelphia's First Union Center on Wednesday night, when Iverson scored 54 points to Carter's 28 in the 76ers' 97-92 victory. "For better or worse, fans like it when you get superstars going against each other. People have been hearing about these guys for years now, but they haven't gotten this far before where they met each other at this level. That gets people interested."

"This is special because they both have their teams on their backs," 76ers president and part-owner Pat Croce said. "They're great basketball players, but more than that, they're exciting. They add an element of surprise when they get the ball. You don't know what's going to happen. They bring that anticipation and enthusiasm and they smile at the fans and interact with them. That's what the NBA needs. That's what we want. I want the people going nuts when Carter does something. I just want him doing it less than Allen."

That certainly was the case in Wednesday night's game as Iverson set a 76ers single-game playoff scoring record. Many of Carter's baskets were more spectacular, but Iverson was relentless in going to the basket.

"I didn't want to settle for anything," Iverson said. "I went and took what I wanted."

Even Carter acknowledged Iverson after the game.

"He did the job, that's for sure, but the series is not over," Carter said.

With the NBA's overall popularity declining and new rules designed to make the game more appealing set to take effect next season, an Iverson-Carter matchup is what the league really needed.

"Watching these two kids, I don't think our league is in any trouble," 76ers coach Larry Brown said. "They really are exciting."

"I think you are going to see more great individual matchups as the young kids we have in this league develop," he said. "We are always rushing to fix this and fix that, but maybe there is not always something wrong. The young guys have to be able to grow and make some mistakes. Let them grow up and then see what they can do. In this series, you are seeing two of the best going at each other."

It is looking increasingly likely that Michael Jordan will end a three-year retirement next season and return to the NBA as a player. Carter and Iverson will be right there, eagerly awaiting that matchup.

"You always want to test yourself against the best, and I would welcome the challenge," Iverson said.

Said Carter of Jordan: "He set the standard we are all trying to reach."

Jordan, of course, owns six championship rings and 10 scoring titles, while Carter, 24, has won nothing more than a rookie of the year award and a slam-dunk title. But Carter is one of the league's most popular players among fans, the leading vote-getter for the past two NBA All-Star Games. Iverson, 25, won his second scoring title this season and is favored to win this season's most valuable player award, as well.

"We try to promote the game and the teams and all the players," Granik said. "There are just certain players who capture people's imaginations. You can't deny that.

"We can't go out and create them. It just happens and they're doing it on the court. You can't make superstars, I don't care how good a promotion. It's what they do on the court, and here we have Iverson and Carter. They're doing it most nights on the floor. That's what people see and they love to watch it."

Iverson tough, Carter soft?

Carter and Iverson have had their share of critics since each was designated "the next Michael Jordan" — something that occurred shortly after they entered the league.

One thing that has never been questioned, however, is Iverson's toughness. He plays while hurt and is one of the league's most resilient players despite getting knocked down and run over on a regular basis. At a spindly 6-0, 165 pounds, he just keeps getting up.

"You can question a lot of things about Allen but not his heart," Brown says. "The kid wants to win and will give up his body to do it."

The 6-6, 225-pound Carter on the other hand has been labeled as soft. He isn't as tough as Iverson and when he hits the floor he doesn't bounce up as quickly. He gets criticized for settling for three-point shots instead of driving strong to the basket. In Wednesday night's game, Iverson repeatedly drew fouls and shot nine free throws; Carter never got to the line.

I have made this video of AI vs Vince Carter the Toronto Raptors in 2001 NBA Playoff. Every single points of Iverson is included from Game 1 to Game 7.

Vince Carter versus Allen Iverson is the kind of marquee matchup the NBA has been craving since the days of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

As two of the NBA's most exciting young stars, they are dazzling spectators and TV viewers with limitless creativity and breathtaking moves in the Toronto Raptors-Philadelphia 76ers playoff series.

"This matchup is great, and people are getting turned on to it," said NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik, who was at Philadelphia's First Union Center on Wednesday night, when Iverson scored 54 points to Carter's 28 in the 76ers' 97-92 victory. "For better or worse, fans like it when you get superstars going against each other. People have been hearing about these guys for years now, but they haven't gotten this far before where they met each other at this level. That gets people interested."

With the NBA's overall popularity declining and new rules designed to make the game more appealing set to take effect next season, an Iverson-Carter matchup is what the league really needed.

"Watching these two kids, I don't think our league is in any trouble," 76ers coach Larry Brown said. "They really are exciting."

Toronto coach Lenny Wilkens feels much the same way.

"I think you are going to see more great individual matchups as the young kids we have in this league develop," he said. "We are always rushing to fix this and fix that, but maybe there is not always something wrong. The young guys have to be able to grow and make some mistakes. Let them grow up and then see what they can do. In this series, you are seeing two of the best going at each other."

It is looking increasingly likely that Michael Jordan will end a three-year retirement next season and return to the NBA as a player. Carter and Iverson will be right there, eagerly awaiting that matchup.

"You always want to test yourself against the best, and I would welcome the challenge," Iverson said.

Said Carter of Jordan: "He set the standard we are all trying to reach."

Jordan, of course, owns six championship rings and 10 scoring titles, while Carter, 24, has won nothing more than a rookie of the year award and a slam-dunk title. But Carter is one of the league's most popular players among fans, the leading vote-getter for the past two NBA All-Star Games. Iverson, 25, won his second scoring title this season and is favored to win this season's most valuable player award, as well.

And while Iverson and Carter are going head to head, other young stars such as Milwaukee's Ray Allen, the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, San Antonio's Tim Duncan, Dallas' Michael Finley and Dirk Nowitzki and Sacramento's Chris Webber and Peja Stojakovic also are still competing in the playoffs. In addition, the league's most improved player, Orlando's 21 year-old Tracy McGrady, was a major star of the first round even though his team lost.

"We try to promote the game and the teams and all the players," Granik said. "There are just certain players who capture people's imaginations. You can't deny that.

"We can't go out and create them. It just happens and they're doing it on the court. You can't make superstars, I don't care how good a promotion. It's what they do on the court, and here we have Iverson and Carter. They're doing it most nights on the floor. That's what people see and they love to watch it."

The personal similarities between Carter and Iverson are few other than both are mama's boys. Iverson's mother, Ann, attends almost all of her son's games while dressed in a 76ers jersey with "IVERSON'S MOM" emblazoned on it. Carter's mother, Michelle, prefers street clothes at games, but she publicly criticized Oakley when he dared to criticize her baby boy.

Though Iverson — with his corn-row hairstyle, multiple tattoos and rap albums — might appeal directly to the hip-hop generation, the more conservative Carter is Mr. Basketball in Canada. One of the Raptors' top priorities is keeping him with the franchise well beyond the 2001-02 season, when his contract expires. They have a window from Aug. 1 to Oct. 31 to re-sign him. If they don't, he will become a free agent after the 2001-02 season.

He and team officials prefer not to talk about the future just yet.

Meanwhile, he and Iverson downplay their personal rivalry.

Carter: "We try to do our thing as a team. I just try to fit in within the team concept and do what I need to do. I see what Allen is doing, but I'm not thinking about trying to outdo him personally."

Iverson: "I can't accomplish anything without my teammates. I know that, they know that and everybody knows that. Vince is a great player, but he needs his teammates just like I need mine. The things my teammates do to help us win are just as important as the things I do.