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MKBHD Panels App Backlash: Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD, claims an impressive 19.5 million subscribers on YouTube, making him a significant figure in the tech world. His influence has often been
credited with shaping public perception around various tech products, including the recently controversial Humane AI pin. Brownlee is not shy about sharing his honest opinions; he notably labeled Fisker’s electric vehicle as “the worst car I’ve ever reviewed,” and described the Humane AI pin as “the worst product I’ve ever reviewed… for now.” Such statements have garnered attention and stirred discussions within the tech community.
MKBHD’s Panels App Launch:
Recently, Brownlee ventured into app development, launching a wallpaper application called Panels on both iOS and Android. However, his fanbase reacted with mixed feelings to this launch. With high expectations for his product, many anticipated that Brownlee would apply the same rigorous standards to his creation that he does in his reviews. Unfortunately, the rollout of Panels revealed some drawbacks that disappointed many users.
Panels App Pricing and Privacy Concerns:
To access the high-resolution wallpapers that the app offers without the interruption of advertisements, users are required to pay a subscription fee of approximately $50 per year or $12 per month. This pricing model has drawn criticism, especially considering that similar high-quality content has historically been available for free on various online platforms. The situation is exacerbated by reports that the app could potentially track users’ location, usage data, and personal identifiers across different applications and websites, raising privacy concerns.
Criticism of Panels App: High Expectations and Mixed Reviews:
MKBHD Panels App Backlash: On social media platform X, many users expressed their dissatisfaction with the hefty subscription price. Critiques highlighted that while Brownlee excels at product reviews, his foray into product creation appears to have fallen short of expectations. The one-star ratings that flooded the app’s reviews underscored a sentiment of disappointment among fans, who felt let down by a product that did not meet the standards set by Brownlee’s own critiques of others’ work.
Commentators criticize the app for being overpriced, filled with intrusive ads, and collecting excessive amounts of user data.
Defending MKBHD Amidst Backlash:
On the other hand, some commentators argue that critics are crossing the line by excessively bashing the YouTuber. This division highlights the ongoing debate around the app’s value and the expectations set by its creator, Marques Brownlee, as well as the nature of feedback in the digital space.
MKBHD Response:
MKBHD has responded to the backlash, stating, “The first thing we’re doing is fixing the excessive data disclosures, as people rightfully brought up.” He added, “For transparency, we’d never actually ask for your location, internet history, etc. The data disclosures (that everyone is screenshotting) are likely too broad and largely driven by what the ad networks suggest. We are working to fix that ASAP.”
MKBHD remarked that he heard the outcry and will be working to reduce the frequency of ads for the free experience. The app does allow users to download lower-resolution versions of the wallpapers for free, but only after watching two ads.
Conclusion:
In summary, Marques Brownlee’s foray into app development with Panels has faced significant backlash. Many fans expected a product that reflected his high standards for quality and user experience, only to find a service that they deemed overpriced and lacking compared to freely available alternatives. As a result, this situation reminds us that transitioning from product reviewer to product creator is full of challenges, and even influential figures like Brownlee face public scrutiny when they fail to meet expectations.
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