Marques Brownlee, widely known as MKBHD, is a prominent tech content creator with approximately 20 million YouTube subscribers, recognized for his in-depth reviews of the latest technology gadgets.
He has critically reviewed devices such as the Humane Ai Pin and the Rabbit R1, labeling them with titles like “The Worst Product I’ve Ever Reviewed” and “Barely Reviewable.” Despite this, he has commended products like the Apple Vision Pro, OnePlus 12, and others, although noting some flaws.
Recently, Brownlee introduced a new wallpaper application called Panels. However, the response has been largely negative according to feedback from X (formerly Twitter) and reviews on the Apple App Store.
Jesse Lyu, CEO of Rabbit R1, seemingly took pleasure in the wave of criticism directed at Brownlee, sharing a meme that humorously depicts Brownlee as a “startup killer” with his harsh reviews. The meme includes notable figures such as Humane Ai Pin co-founder Imran Chaudhri, Lyu, and Apple CEO Tim Cook, suggesting they were victims of Brownlee’s critical reviews. Interestingly, Brownlee is also depicted as a victim in the meme, implying that his latest venture warrants self-critique.
The Panels app, unveiled in Brownlee’s recent iPhone 16 review video, aims to provide a curated selection of high-resolution wallpapers from various artists. Brownlee expressed his excitement for the app in a X post, stating it was the long-awaited answer to frequent inquiries about his wallpaper sources. However, the reactions to his announcement were far less enthusiastic.
Critics on X have pointed out several issues, including comments from users like Ian Zelbo, who criticized the app’s design and perceived it as a mere cash grab filled with advertisements. Others, such as Corbin Williams and Alex Kehr, echoed similar sentiments, with some calling the app a detriment to Brownlee’s brand reputation.
The Verge noted that a significant portion of user dissatisfaction stemmed from the app’s request to track users’ activity, including location data. Additionally, the app’s pricing model, which includes a $49.99 annual subscription or an $11.99 monthly fee, has been particularly controversial. Users can access a few free wallpapers, but only after watching advertisements, and these are in standard definition rather than high-quality resolution.
In response to the backlash, Brownlee addressed the concerns in a tweet on Sept. 24, acknowledging the criticism. He assured that the excessive data disclosures would be addressed and clarified that the app does not actually request location or internet history information. He also committed to reducing ad frequency in the free version of the app and emphasized his focus on providing value in the premium version.
This is not Brownlee’s first entrepreneurial endeavor, having previously collaborated with Atoms on a sneaker line and with Ridge on accessories.
The future of Brownlee’s Panels app remains uncertain, but with a dedicated follower base and his commitment to improvements, there remains potential for redemption.
