Marques Brownlee's iPhone Wallpaper App

Overview

Marques Brownlee's iPhone Wallpaper App refers to a controversy surrounding YouTuber Marques Brownlee (also known as MKBHD) releasing Panels+, an app that provides HD iPhone wallpapers for a monthly subscription rate of $11.99. MKBHD released the app in late September 2024, and received backlash after users called the app "ad-spam," and noted that the app required the user's location for no apparent reason. Brownlee's reputation as a critical tech reviewer, and his notable takedown of Humane AI Pin, led to internet users pointing out his supposed hypocrisy in criticizing major tech companies while not holding himself to the same standards. Brownlee defended his app by pointing out that it is free-with-ads, that artists would receive a cut of the revenue the app generates, and that he will work on paring back the app's user data requirements.

Background

On September 23rd, 2024, Marques Brownlee A.K.A. MKBHD made a post on X^[1] (formerly Twitter) about his new endeavor, a subscription-based iPhone app that provides users with high-quality HD wallpapers at a monthly fee of $11.99. Brownlee wrote, "And now – I'm so pumped to be launching this app! People have asked where I get wallpapers FOREVER, so this is the answer, now and forever: PANELS! Available on iOS or Android."

Developments

Many internet users made posts critical of Brownlee for releasing a subscription-based iPhone wallpaper app, saying that it was an unnecessary service, that the app required too much user data (including location tracking), that it was too expensive and that it was an underwhelming product launch, given Brownlee's reputation as a reputable and critical tech reviewer.

On September 24th, 2024, X^[2] user @uwukko wrote that "the panels app is very poorly made and all payments are verified on client side," and that anyone with some basic computer skills could manage to access all the paywalled wallpapers for free. The post gathered over 18,000 likes in a day.

Later that day, X^[3] user @astuyve followed @uwukko's instructions and managed to access the wallpapers, writing, "🤦Every single wallpaper is sitting in a public bucket" and gathering over 4,000 likes in a day.

Other X users made fun of some of the wallpapers available for download on the app, including one that was a solid shade of orange. On September 24th, X^[4] user @ludyfrfr posted screenshots of the wallpaper, asking, "am i missing something😭😭," gathering over 6,000 likes in a day.

Marques Brownlee's Response

On September 24th, MKBHD^[5] posted a response to the criticism levied against him, announcing changes to the app's data disclosures (like location and internet history), as well as promising price drops and fewer ads. The post gathered over 21,000 likes in a day.

Online Reactions

Many internet users joked about how the creator of the Humane AI Pin should post a negative review of Brownlee's iPhone wallpaper app to get payback for his negative review of their product. On September 24th, X^[6] user @protosphinx posted a Speech Bubble meme featuring Imran Chaudhri, gathering over 6,000 likes in a day.

On September 24th, X^[7] user @JonyIveParody posted a joke about the orange wallpaper available on Brownlee's app, writing, "FREE orange wallpaper • HD quality • No subscription required • Ad-free," gathering over 25,000 likes in a day.

Search Interest

Unavailable.

External References