Marques Brownlee says he’s working to dial back the ads.

Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD, faced backlash over his new wallpaper app, Panels, due to its high subscription cost ($49.99/year) and concerns over excessive data permissions.

Brownlee acknowledged user feedback, promising to adjust ad frequency for free users and address privacy concerns, clarifying that the app’s data disclosures were broader than intended.

The app, which offers curated wallpapers and shares profits with artists, aims to improve over time, despite criticisms of its design and monetization approach.

  • @ilinamoratoEnglish
    2•2 months ago

    I dont know what the sticky hands comment means.

    I’m not brave enough to use my phone without a case, because I know I’ll drop it. Either you’re braver than me, richer than me, or you have better grip than me.

    Fifty fifty is what MKB said was the split, which is a predatory figure.

    50% of the revenue or 50% of the profit? Because if they’re paying the artists first and footing the bill for hosting the app out of the other 50%, that’s a pretty good deal.

    • @SquizzyEnglish
      2•2 months ago

      I just dont like cases and take the risk. Phones are nicer looking without.

      He didnt specify which would lead me to believe profits. Neither is a good split, he is charging as much as spotify for content he did not create and keeping half.

      • @ilinamoratoEnglish
        1•2 months ago

        I just dont like cases and take the risk. Phones are nicer looking without.

        No doubt, but I don’t have that kind of cash to burn on the aesthetics.

        Neither is a good split, he is charging as much as spotify for content he did not create and keeping half.

        Hosting and maintaining an application actually has some pretty non-trivial cost associated with it. If it’s half of revenue, then MKBHD actually isn’t taking very much at all.