MKBHD YouTuber responds to criticism of the Panel app and brings important updates

Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee, known for his channel MKBHD, recently spoke out about the criticism leveled at his latest wallpaper app, Panels. An extreme backlash came from his fans after he posted a candid video in which he admitted that the app’s pricing model had gone wrong, saying, “We have failed on the pricing front.” The criticism came from multiple platforms – the Brownlee’s popular YouTube channel and also social media.
Pricing issues and user frustration
At the forefront of the loudest criticism was the paid “Panels Plus” tier, which cost users $11.99 per month or $49.99 per year. Users would get the ad-free version and unique wallpaper collections. “I misunderstood,” Brownlee said. “If I had reviewed this app, I wouldn’t have been too kind about it.”

In response, Brownlee and his team proposed several updates that updated the free version of the app and optimized the subscription model.

Changes in the free version
The 1080p wallpapers are free, finally eliminating one of the biggest annoyances for users. Although the subscription model remains, the company has offered a new standard plan priced at $2 per month in addition to the original pricing options. Brownlee noted that the product is “positioned for wallpaper power users,” although he said that only represents a small percentage of the audience.

Solving the data protection problem
Another issue was the app’s data collection, which caused a bit of concern for users. There were so many types of data that the App Store listed the app in its privacy section, leading to widespread accusations of invasive data collection. Brownlee admitted that this was “another mistake,” explaining that the list was too comprehensive and didn’t specify what the app actually tracked.

According to Brownlee, the list was created out of caution following suggestions that appeared to be spread by AdMob, the advertising service behind the application. Still, he rushed to reassure readers that user privacy is his priority, reminding them: “To be clear: I don’t want your data.” Of course, he also reminds readers that they are free to to use and share the application without the need for an account.

Improved user experience
The new version of Panels is ad-free when displaying in-feed ads and offers the ability to display non-collection wallpapers in 1080p for free and without ads. Users have the option to unlock full-resolution wallpapers by watching a 30-second ad. This ensures that the ads do not disrupt the user experience but rather balance it out.

These updates are in response to user feedback as Brownlee and his team look to make the app more accessible while still keeping it in a subscription form for the true followers.