Why MKBHD’s New Wallpaper App Misses the Mark

When you hear the name Marques Brownlee, or MKBHD, you think of top-tier tech reviews, insightful analyses, and an unwavering commitment to quality. With millions of subscribers, MKBHD has solidified his place as one of the most influential tech YouTubers on the planet. So, when Marques announced his foray into the world of mobile applications with his new wallpaper app, Panels, expectations were sky-high. Unfortunately, as some early users have discovered, Panels might not live up to the hype.

A Stellar Reputation Meets a Rocky Launch

Marques Brownlee has always been synonymous with excellence in tech content. His videos are meticulously crafted, his reviews are thorough, and his influence is undeniable. Given this reputation, it’s surprising to see Panels, his first-ever app, receive such a lukewarm reception. In fact, the initial feedback has been overwhelmingly negative, raising questions about the app’s design, pricing, and overall value.

The Premise: High Cost for Wallpapers

At its core, Panels is a wallpaper app priced at a steep $12 per month or $50 annually. This pricing strategy is where many users first raise their eyebrows. To put it into perspective, popular streaming services like Disney+ and Apple TV+ charge between $8 to $12 monthly, but they offer a vast array of content that justifies the expense. In contrast, Panels offers static wallpapers — a service that, while valuable to some, might not warrant such a high price tag for the average user.

Unpacking the App: Features and Flaws

Subscription Model and Revenue Split

Panels operates on a freemium model. While the app itself is free to download, accessing premium features like full-resolution wallpapers requires a subscription. Marques and his team claim a 50/50 revenue split with the artists contributing to the platform. However, this has raised concerns among creators and users alike. Compared to other platforms like Bandcamp or Patreon, which offer artists a more favorable revenue share, Panels’ model appears less attractive and potentially discouraging for artists looking to showcase their work.

Forced Artist Selection and Limited Personalization

Upon launching Panels, users are prompted to select five artists to personalize their wallpaper feed. This onboarding process feels restrictive and counterintuitive for a wallpaper app. Instead of allowing users to choose based on their preferred wallpaper styles — be it minimalist, nature, urban, or abstract — the app mandates artist selection without providing sufficient preview or portfolio access. This can lead to a mismatched and unsatisfactory user experience, as users are often forced to pick artists they may not be interested in, simply to proceed.

Intrusive Advertisements

One of the most glaring issues with Panels is the presence of advertisements within the app. Even for a paid service, the inclusion of ads detracts from the user experience. Users on the free tier are subjected to ads that are not only irrelevant — often promoting competing wallpaper apps — but also disruptive, requiring them to watch 30-second ads before downloading a wallpaper. This approach not only undermines the app’s perceived quality but also diminishes the value proposition of upgrading to a premium subscription.

Data Privacy Concerns

Panels has also come under scrutiny for its data collection practices. The app requests extensive user data, including location and internet history, during the onboarding process. While Marques has addressed these concerns, stating that the data collection is more of a broad disclosure and not actively utilized, the lack of transparency has left users wary. In an age where data privacy is paramount, such practices can significantly impact user trust and willingness to adopt the app.

Comparing Value: Streaming Services vs. Panels

When evaluating the cost of Panels, it’s essential to consider the value it offers relative to other subscription-based services. For $12 a month, users can access a vast library of content on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or Apple TV+, each providing diverse and continuously updated offerings. In contrast, Panels offers a limited selection of static wallpapers, with the premium tier unlocking only a fraction of available content and higher resolutions. This disparity in value raises legitimate questions about the justification for Panels’ pricing structure.

Community Backlash and Perceived Disconnect

The tech community, particularly on platforms like Reddit, has voiced significant dissatisfaction with Panels. Users have criticized the app for its high cost, intrusive ads, and limited functionality. This backlash highlights a potential disconnect between Marques’s vision and the everyday consumer’s needs. While Marques has built his brand on providing accessible and insightful tech content, Panels seems to stray from this ethos, alienating a substantial portion of his audience.

Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity

Marques Brownlee’s Panels wallpaper app arrives with high expectations, given his esteemed position in the tech community. However, the app’s steep pricing, intrusive advertisements, and restrictive onboarding process have left many users disappointed. Moreover, the unfavorable revenue split for artists compared to industry standards further dampens its appeal.

For Marques and his team, Panels represents a significant venture into app development. Yet, the current iteration suggests a need for reevaluation and refinement to align better with user expectations and industry norms. As it stands, Panels serves as a reminder that even the most reputable creators must remain attuned to their audience’s needs and preferences to ensure the success of their ventures beyond their primary domain.

If you’re considering giving Panels a try, it might be worth waiting for future updates that address these initial concerns. In the ever-evolving landscape of mobile applications, the ability to adapt and respond to user feedback is crucial. For Marques Brownlee, embracing this feedback could be the key to transforming Panels from a controversial launch into a beloved tool for wallpaper enthusiasts.