Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD, is venturing into a new role as a builder with the launch of his wallpaper app called Panels. The app, available for both iOS and Android devices, offers a collection of high-quality digital wallpapers curated by Brownlee himself. However, there is a catch – users must pay a subscription fee of $50 per year or $12 per month to access high-resolution wallpapers without viewing ads.
With nearly twenty million subscribers on YouTube, Brownlee holds considerable power as a tech reviewer. His negative videos about companies like Fisker and Humane have been blamed for contributing to their failures. However, it is important to note that these companies had significant issues with their products, which likely played a more significant role. Despite this, fans had high expectations when Brownlee announced the launch of his app, given his reputation as a discerning tech reviewer.
The premise of the Panels app is appealing. Brownlee’s devices, which he reviews, always have stylish wallpapers that catch viewers’ attention. In fact, a quick Google search reveals that one of the most popular suggestions related to Brownlee is about where he gets his wallpapers. Additionally, the recent release of the iPhone software update iOS 18, which emphasizes lock screen and home screen customization, further creates a demand for sleek, high-resolution wallpapers that enhance the user experience. However, one significant flaw of Panels is its steep pricing. While the app can be used for free, users must endure watching two thirty-second ads per image to download lower resolution wallpapers. This approach feels contradictory to Brownlee’s own views on monetization.
One redeeming quality of Panels is its attempt to provide a new income stream for digital artists, especially in a time when generative AI threatens their livelihood. Brownlee has stated that payments will be split 50-50 with the artists. For instance, if a user purchases a wallpaper for $8, and Apple takes its standard 30% cut, the artist will receive around $2.80 per purchase. By creating a market for wallpapers, which people are not accustomed to paying for, Brownlee aims to support artists in earning additional passive income. With his substantial influence, Brownlee could potentially make this venture successful.
However, concerns have been raised regarding data privacy. Users discovered that Panels may track their location, usage data, and personal identifiers across other apps and websites, according to the App Store. Brownlee promptly addressed this issue on X, ensuring users that excessive data disclosures will be rectified. He emphasized that the app does not ask for location or internet history and that the broad data disclosures were likely driven by ad networks’ suggestions. Brownlee is actively working to fix this issue, demonstrating his commitment to transparency and user privacy.
Although the free version of Panels still offers cool wallpapers, the lower-resolution images may not meet users’ expectations unless Apple’s filters are applied. Consequently, it may be challenging to justify the subscription fee, which is equivalent to a monthly Spotify subscription, to access the higher resolution wallpapers.
Brownlee expressed his appreciation for the mass feedback he has received since launching the app, highlighting the benefits of building in public. This instant feedback allows for improvements and adjustments, similar to the process of publishing a YouTube video.
In conclusion, Brownlee’s Panels app offers an appealing collection of high-quality digital wallpapers curated by an influential tech YouTuber. While the app attempts to provide artists with a new income stream and introduces paid wallpapers to a market unaccustomed to such payments, it faces challenges of high subscription fees and concerns over data privacy. As Brownlee continues to address these issues and gather feedback, Panels has the potential to become a successful platform for digital artists and wallpaper enthusiasts alike.
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