Hey ScorpA\rents!

This Wednesday is a mix of tech farewells, billion-dollar chip plays, and a wake-up call to stop waiting for “someday.”

Microsoft Lens is bowing out, replaced by AI Copilot — but minus some of the features we loved.

Over in the chip world, Nvidia and AMD just scored a deal to sell high-end AI chips to China… with a 15% toll to Uncle Sam.

And then there’s Todd Henry’s Die Empty, reminding us that the best time to create, live, and leave our mark is now — not later.

Speaking of making the most of your resources, let’s talk about two game-changers for your wealth and lifestyle: Stocks & Income for growing your financial firepower, and Pacaso for turning your dream vacation home into a reality without buying the whole thing.

🔎 TL;DR

1) STING & GROW: AI HUSTLES

• Goodbye, Microsoft Lens

  The beloved no-fuss document scanner is shutting down this year, replaced by the AI-powered Copilot app… but with fewer of the handy features fans loved.

2) STING & GROW: INVESTING

• Nvidia & AMD’s China Play

  Both chip giants can now sell high-end AI chips to China… if they give Uncle Sam a 15% cut. It’s part trade deal, part tariff, and investors are watching closely.

3) STING OF SUCCESS: MILLIONAIRE MINDSET

• Die Empty

  Stop saving your best work for “someday.” Todd Henry’s message is clear: live with purpose, create daily, and leave nothing important undone.

Estimated Reading Time: 5-6 minutes

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STING & GROW:

AI HUSTLES

The End of Simple: Microsoft Retires Lens for AI Copilot

Sometimes you just want a simple tool that does its job without all the AI bells and whistles, right?

Microsoft Lens was that gem — scan a doc, save it, done.

Now, it’s getting the axe.

Here’s the Real Deal

Lens is officially retiring on Sept 15, 2025 for iOS & Android, disappearing from app stores by Nov 15.

You’ll still be able to scan until Dec 15, but after that?

No new scans — just access to old ones (if the app stays on your device).

Why It Mattered

Launched in 2015, Lens turned paper into PDFs, Word docs, PPTs, or images — no subscriptions, no paywalls.

Need to scan a receipt, a business card, or scribbles from your kid’s homework?

It nailed it. And it had neat extras like filters, black-and-white sharpening, and direct saves to Microsoft apps.

The Replacement Isn’t the Same

Microsoft’s pushing users to its Copilot AI app…

but here’s the kicker: Copilot doesn’t have all Lens’ tricks.

No direct saves to OneNote, no business card-to-contact magic, no immersive read-out-loud.

Basically, the personality is gone.

Why You Might Care

Lens still had over 322K downloads in the last 30 days and has racked up 92M+ installs since 2017.

It was that loved.

And replacing a well-loved, simple tool with a “smarter” but clunkier one feels like trading your favourite coffee mug for a self-heating robot cup that keeps spilling.

Quick Microlearning Corner

• Mark the Dates: Retires Sept 15, scans stop Dec 15.

• Keep the App: You’ll still access old scans if it’s on your device.

• No True Replacement: Copilot AI ≠ Lens. Missing features may hurt your workflow.

• Lesson: Simple tools that work are worth gold — cherish them before AI “upgrades” them away.

Read More

STING & GROW: INVESTING

China’s AI Chip Market: Nvidia & AMD’s 15% Toll to Play

Looks like the AI chip drama just got a plot twist.

Nvidia and AMD may now sell their high-end AI chips to China—but only if they pay Uncle Sam 15% of the revenue from those sales.

Think of it as a “tariff-for-access” pass to one of the world’s biggest markets.

What’s the Deal?

NVDA’s H20 and AMD’s MI308 chips can go to China again—legally—thanks to new U.S. licenses.

In exchange, the government gets a cut, keeping one hand on the steering wheel for national security and trade policy.

For the chipmakers, it’s “better a smaller slice than no pie at all.”

Why Now?

After months of back-and-forth restrictions, Washington’s threading the needle—control advanced tech flow and keep U.S. firms in the game.

With AI chip demand booming, the potential revenue boost outweighs the margin haircut… if they play their pricing cards right.

Winners & Watchouts

• Winners: Nvidia, AMD, TSMC (more chip orders), high-bandwidth memory suppliers.

• Risks: Margin squeeze if the 15% can’t be passed on, policy whiplash if geopolitics flare up, and pressure from China’s homegrown AI chips.

• For investors? Expect some earnings bump—just don’t get too comfy.

What to Watch

License duration, China sales mix, pricing strategies, and how local competition responds.

One headline can flip this story overnight.

Quick Microlearning Corner

• 15% Toll: Nvidia & AMD must pay U.S. gov a cut from China AI chip sales.

• Chips in Play: NVDA’s H20 & AMD’s MI308—custom-designed for China rules.

• Impact: Revenue boost, possible margin hit.

• Winners: NVDA, AMD, TSMC, memory suppliers.

• Risks: Geopolitical reversals & pricing pressure.

Read More

STING & GROW: MILLIONAIRE MINDSET

Die Empty: Live Full, Leave Nothing Behind

Ever feel like you’re saving your best ideas for “someday”?

Todd Henry says that’s the fastest way to leave your greatest work stuck in your head forever.

The goal?

Empty the tank before your time is up.

Here’s the Real Deal

Progress isn’t about giant leaps, it’s about showing up daily for the projects that matter most.

A fulfilled life means exploring your creative spark and actually putting it to work.

“Good enough” sounds safe… but it’s a trap.

Unlocking Your Genius

Start by asking better questions.

The ones that poke at the edges of your curiosity.

Growth comes from pushing past your comfort zone, committing to lifelong learning, and building skills that keep you sharp.

Staying on Track

The road to your big goals?

It’s bumpy.

Without regular checkpoints, you’ll drift off course before you even realize it.

Keep reviewing, keep adjusting, and keep moving.

Why You Might Care

Your biggest contribution won’t come from waiting for the “right time”.

It’ll come from consistent, intentional action.

The more you give today, the less you’ll regret tomorrow.

Quick Microlearning Corner

• Daily progress beats random bursts of effort.

• Curiosity fuels creativity—ask better questions.

• Lifelong growth = lifelong contribution.

• Comfort zones are cozy… and deadly for dreams.

Read More

TOGETHER WITH OUR PARTNER

Learn from this investor’s $100m mistake

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Final Thought for the Week:
It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.
- by Paulo Coelho

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