Marques Brownlee, also referred to as MKBHD, is a tech-focused content material creator with almost 20 million YouTube subscribers, famend for his opinions of the most recent devices.
He has dunked on the likes of the Humane Ai Pin and the Rabbit R1 with titles like “The Worst Product I’ve Ever Reviewed” and “Barely Reviewable,” however praised the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional (regardless of calling it flawed), OnePlus 12, and different merchandise.
Nevertheless, the seasoned, and arguably revered, tech reviewer not too long ago launched a brand new wallpaper app referred to as Panels. And if X (previously Twitter) is something to go by (and the Apple App Retailer opinions), the reception for the app has been poor.
Even Jesse Lyu, the CEO behind Rabbit R1, appeared to show some schadenfreude over the wave of criticism Brownlee has confronted on-line, sharing the next meme along with his followers.
The meme depicts Brownlee because the grim reaper, poking enjoyable at how some critics understand the YouTuber as a “startup killer” along with his candid opinions. (When Brownlee reviewed the Humane Ai Pin, for instance, there was chatter about whether or not his harshness thwarts the expansion of small-time gadget makers.)
The meme reveals Humane Ai Pin co-founder Imran Chaudhri, Lyu, and Apple CEO Tim Prepare dinner being victims of Brownlee’s sharp tongue. Curiously, the final individual of the lineup is Brownlee himself, implying that the YouTuber’s newest enterprise must be subjected to his personal brutal critiques.
MKBHD’s new Panels app will get poor opinions
It is not simply Lyu, nevertheless, who has been trolling Brownlee. The Panels app, revealed in Brownlee’s new iPhone 16 overview video, is designed to supply a curated assortment of high-res wallpapers from artists.
Credit score: Apple
“I am so pumped to be launching this app!” Brownlee stated in a Sept. 23 X submit. “Folks have requested the place I get wallpapers FOREVER, so that is the reply, now and endlessly: PANELS!”
Nevertheless, the replies beneath Brownlee’s submit do not seem to match his enthusiasm.
Mashable Mild Velocity
“Fairly disillusioned on this,” Ian Zelbo stated. “Doesn’t have the polish / design I’d anticipate. Looks as if one thing that’s been on the App Retailer already that you simply slapped your identify on. Adverts in all places and it simply all appears like a money seize to me”
“The app is trash, you will get higher, high-res wallpapers without spending a dime proper right here and plenty of different accounts on X,” Corbin Williams stated.
“This damages your model,” stated Alex Kehr. “It is loopy that the #1 tech reviewer recognized for advocating for high quality and usefulness would launch a cash-grab subscription app with horrible UI design, stuffed with advertisements, and providing mediocre wallpapers.”
“Delete this rubbish and fake it was a joke,” bl0rq steered.
Based mostly on the replies, as The Verge identified, it seems that customers are sad that the iOS model of Panels asks whether or not it will probably observe customers’ exercise. One of many knowledge factors that it reportedly displays is location. (Although, as you will learn later, Brownlee refutes this declare.)
On prime of that, the app requires customers to join a $49.99 annual subscription or an $11.99-per-month membership. There are some wallpapers you’ll be able to entry without spending a dime, however only some — they usually’re in normal definition (not high-res). However first, to entry them, customers have to look at two ads.
“$50/yr for WALLPAPERS?! And never a single high-res wallpaper downloadable without spending a dime with advertisements? Love crew MKBHD and all, however that’s loopy,” Nevan stated.
“Half of your opinions are like ‘uh it’s costly and it doesn’t actually do something’ lol it is best to overview your self,” cometcalls stated.
MKBHD responds to suggestions
Because of the suggestions, Brownlee posted a tweet on Sept. 24 that, partially, stated, “I hear you!”
In response to privateness considerations, Brownlee stated the next: “Very first thing we’re doing is fixing the extreme knowledge disclosures, as individuals rightfully introduced up. For transparency, we would by no means truly ask on your location, web historical past, and so on. The information disclosures (that everybody is screenshotting) is probably going too broad, and largely pushed by what the advert networks recommend.”
With reference to pricing, Brownlee stated that delivering worth for the premium model is a private problem — and he plans to dial again advert frequency for the free expertise, with extra updates to come back.
The Panels app is not MKBHD’s first foray into an entrepreneurial enterprise. For instance, Brownlee has collaborated with Atoms for a sneaker line in addition to equipment maker Ridge.
The highway forward for Brownlee’s Panels app appears unsure, however with a devoted following and a promise of enhancements, there’s nonetheless hope for redemption.