Introduction

In a candid video released last Friday, renowned tech reviewer Marques Brownlee, widely known as MKBHD, confronted the backlash surrounding his recently launched wallpaper app, Panels. He acknowledged that he 'failed on the price front' at launch, a statement that resonates with many users voicing their frustrations on platforms like YouTube and Twitter.

The Pricing Controversy

The crux of the criticism stemmed from the expensive premium subscription, dubbed 'Panels Plus,' which was priced at an eye-watering $11.99 per month or $49.99 annually. This hefty fee, which promised an ad-free experience along with full access to exclusive wallpaper collections, did not sit well with fans. Brownlee conceded that if he were to review the app, his feedback would not be particularly flattering.

Updates Made to the App

To alleviate some of the mounting frustration, the Panels team has made significant improvements to the free experience. Among the updates implemented include the removal of in-feed ads, allowing users to access all wallpapers, excluding collection-specific ones, at a resolution of 1080p without facing any ads. Moreover, users can attain a full-resolution wallpaper simply by watching a 30-second advertisement.

New Subscription Tier

In response to the feedback regarding the subscription model, Brownlee introduced a new 'Standard' tier for Panels Plus at a significantly reduced price of $1.99 per month, which provides an ad-free experience for individual wallpapers. The existing 'Unlimited' tier remains unchanged at $11.99 per month or $49.99 per year, granting users full access to all collections and early previews of new wallpapers.

Privacy Concerns Addressed

Another major point of contention among users was related to privacy concerns stemming from the app's tracking capabilities as highlighted in the App Store's privacy section. Brownlee responded to this issue by admitting it was an oversight on their part, where they checked too many boxes regarding data usage. He clarified that while the app includes a comprehensive list, it merely consisted of potential tracking features as dictated by his advertising partner, AdMob. 'I do not want your data,' he asserted, emphasizing that users can use the app without needing to create an account.

Future Content Plans

In his extensive video, which runs over 15 minutes, Brownlee also shared exciting news about upcoming content. He pledged that users can expect weekly drops of fresh artwork every Friday and guaranteed that the app would not be inundated with 'AI-generated slop,' promising a focus on quality instead.

Conclusion

Notably, Panels was launched simultaneously with the iPhone 16 review by MKBHD in September, underlining the app's connection to the tech community. As Brownlee and his team work to improve the application based on user feedback, many are curious to see how the app will evolve in the competitive wallpaper app market moving forward. Will this be enough to win back dissatisfied users? Only time will tell!