MKBHD Discontinues His Wallpaper App
▼ Summary
– Marques Brownlee’s Panels wallpaper app is shutting down on December 31st, just over a year after its launch.
– The app’s launch in September 2024 faced significant criticism for its high subscription cost and advertising model.
– Brownlee stated the team made mistakes and couldn’t realize the original vision for the app, partly due to changes in the development team.
– Following the shutdown, all user data will be deleted and the app’s code will be made open source on GitHub.
– All subscriptions will be canceled automatically, with refunds for active subscriptions issued after December 31st.
The popular tech reviewer Marques Brownlee, widely known as MKBHD, has announced the discontinuation of his premium wallpaper application, Panels. The app will officially shut down on December 31st, just over a year following its initial release. In a candid video posted to his YouTube channel, Brownlee acknowledged the project’s shortcomings, stating the team made mistakes and ultimately could not realize the original vision for the app.
The launch of Panels in September 2024 was immediately met with significant backlash, primarily focused on its pricing model and advertising structure. Users and critics alike voiced strong objections to the app’s expensive subscription fee and how promotional content was integrated. A statement on the Panels website elaborated on the decision, citing a shift in the development team’s composition as a key factor. Despite attempts to bring on new collaborators who aligned with the project’s goals, the right fit was never found. The team concluded that maintaining the app without the ability to develop it as originally intended was not viable, leading to the choice for a definitive closure.
Following the shutdown, all user data associated with Panels accounts will be permanently deleted. Brownlee has indicated a plan to release the app’s underlying code as open source, making it available on the developer platform GitHub. For current users, all active subscriptions will be automatically canceled when Panels is removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The company has also committed to processing refunds for any subscription fees paid that extend beyond the December 31st termination date.
(Source: The Verge)
