Marques Brownlee's iPhone Wallpaper App

Marques Brownlee's iPhone Wallpaper App

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Updated Sep 25, 2024 at 08:56AM EDT by sakshi.

Added Sep 25, 2024 at 06:54AM EDT by sakshi.

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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."


Marques Brownlee @MKBHD Subscribe ... 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! @panels_art Available on iOS or Android panels.art Monday, June 6 9:41 શબ્દ Designed by artists, handpicked for you Panels elevates your screen time with a high-quality, personalized collection created by talented artists, turning your device into a digital art gallery. Last edited 7:26 PM · Sep 23, 2024 16.9M Views

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.


wukko @uwukko the panels app is very poorly made and all payments are verified on client side links to all wallpapers (hd/sd) are preloaded right after the app is launched, all you need are basic mitm skills to get them for free. the file with links isn't authenticated or protected *at all* Marques Brownlee @MKBHD • Sep 23 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! @panels_art ... Show more Monday, June 6 9:41 . 2:05 PM - Sep 24, 2024 1.5M Views 237 1.1K Designed by artists, handpicked for you Panels elevates your screen time with a high-quality, personalized collection created by talented artists, turning your device into a digital art gallery. 19K 3.5K wukko @uwukko • 17h storage.googleapis.com/panels-api/dat... that's literally it, search for "dhd" to get full resolution files thanks to @xyz3va for confirming that subscription info is indeed not stored on their firebase at all +

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.


AJ Stuyvenberg @astuyve Every single wallpaper is sitting in a public bucket Copy Collapse All Expand All (slow) sion: a: 594541: ▶ dhd: ▶dsd: 1 Filter JSON "https://panels-cdn.imgix...b0abf6c643334f31808elllc" "https://panels-cdn.imgix...17285974b870c3ba9cd6a7d2" 622874: dhd: ▸dsd: "https://panels-cdn.imgix.net/content/a outrunyouth 93f0826 "https://panels-cdn.imgix...b87cca358d78e553bece0edb" 825833: dhd: ▸dsd: "https://panels-cdn.imgix...4a70d48b093d8284e45eb412" "https://panels-cdn.imgix...24cd29a08ef0f090caad3c8a" 081969: ▶ S: ▸wfs: "https://panels-cdn.imgix...b3241902ee819a3e8cb732c6" "https://panels-cdn.imgix...4e8aafde8698196ab2d1d049" 1859481: ▶S: wfs: "https://panels-cdn.imgix...ef54d584eaff7dc28db58168" "https://panels-cdn.imgix...01f14b8cd3ef5068ab6a6654" 2314083: ▶ S: wfs: "https://panels-cdn.imgix...79907309afa49dfec1f2097c" "https://panels-cdn.imgix...fe0ce94e3b962c3c204dbedd" 24223070: ▶ S: "https://panels-cdn.imgix...baefaf16fc92bceb820b0f57" ▸wft: ▸ wc10: "https://panels-cdn.imgix...80d85b988075f873f9560a92" "https://panels-cdn.imgix...eabe56cddd5253c20f83191b" wcl1: "https://panels-cdn.imgix...6f2827af02bbaa845dee660f" "bttnes//panele.edu imaży Good1d607501d40406ed7c5 nels-cdn.imgix.net/content/a-hytha_c59c7c77/San-Francisco--4K.jpg?expires=1728262583176&fm=jpg&s=7d2f279ceabf93ef5f0d01e26fe8f84 wukko @uwukko. 17h Replying to @uwukko storage.googleapis.com/panels-api/dat... that's literally it, search for "dhd" to get full resolution files Show more 10:26 PM Sep 24, 2024 • 197.6K Views

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.


ludy two @ludyfrfr am i missing something Orange ✓ Get Wallpaper Orange Download Options Marques Brownlee @MKBHD - Sep 23 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! @panels_art Show more Monday, June 6 9:41 7:39 PM - Sep 23, 2024 313K Views Designed by artists, handpicked for you Panels elevates your screen time with a high-quality, personalized collection created by talented artists, turning your device into a digital art gallery.

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.


Marques Brownlee @MKBHD Subscribe Part of building in public is getting mass feedback immediately, which is pretty dope. Almost exactly like publishing a YouTube video First thing we're doing is fixing the excessive data disclosures, as people rightfully brought up. For transparency, we'd never actually ask for your location, internet history, etc. The data disclosures (that everyone is screenshotting) is likely too broad, and largely driven by what the ad networks suggest. Working to fix that ASAP. As far as pricing, I hear you! It's our own personal challenge to work to deliver that kind of value for the premium version. (Weekly Friday drops are already starting) I'll also be dialing back ad frequency for the free experience Much more to come. I appreciate you all • 10:13 AM Sep 24, 2024 3.2M Views

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.


sphinx @protosphinx Follow Marques Brownlee @MKBHD • 20h Replying to @madladshad Dawg. The target market for this is insanely small. Most people don't download a wallpaper app. This is for those who have been asking. If you're not into it, don't worry about it • 1:03 PM ⚫ Sep 24, 2024 304.8K Views

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.


NOT Jony Ive @JonyIveParody Sept 24, 2024 FREE orange wallpaper • • HD quality No subscription required • Ad-free

Search Interest

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External References

[1] X – MKBHD

[2] X – uwukko

[3] X – astuyve

[4]  X – ludyfrfr

[5] X – MKBHD

[6] X – protosphinx

[7] X – JonyIveParody

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