YouTube influencer and technology reviewer Marques Brownlee, widely recognized as MKBHD, recently disclosed the underlying reasons behind the discontinuation of his wallpaper application, Panels, which lasted less than a year.
Launched in September 2024, Panels aimed to provide users with a wide selection of wallpapers at no cost. Nevertheless, the free offerings were restricted to standard resolutions and required users to view two advertisements before they could download any wallpapers. For those who preferred to avoid ads and wanted access to higher resolution images, a subscription was necessary. This monetization strategy met with significant backlash from the community, prompting Brownlee to reevaluate the app’s approach and ultimately reduce ad presence.
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 https://t.co/sl7fitBKDt pic.twitter.com/b0u9h9Py6p
— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) September 23, 2024
By December 2025, Brownlee made the announcement that Panels would be shutting down. He ensured that users with annual subscriptions received refunds, in addition to making the app’s source code publicly accessible.
MKBHD Reflects on the Panels Experience
In candid reflections, Brownlee stated that he was dissatisfied with how Panels was initially introduced, noting that its features were “terribly communicated.” In a conversation with fellow content creator Jon Youshaei, he shared insights into his motivations for creating the app.
“The most frequently asked question I receive is, ‘Where did you get that wallpaper?’ If you Google ‘MKBHD’ and hit ‘space, ’ ‘wallpaper’ is the immediate next suggestion, ” he noted, emphasizing his desire to provide a curated platform rather than merely sharing individual images.“I thought it would be more engaging to create a space dedicated to exploring more from the artists.”
(For more details, check the discussion starting at 53:23)
Brownlee reiterated his concerns regarding the initial communication surrounding Panels and its promotional strategies.“I genuinely like the concept, ” he admitted.“However, the launch itself was lacking in execution. I believe the primary issue was our failure to communicate effectively.”
He continued, “Most people currently perceive Panels as merely a subscription-based wallpaper service, when in reality, it was intended to be a free app with subscription options for additional features. Unfortunately, we didn’t achieve the level of user engagement or community support we anticipated.”
Despite the app’s closure, MKBHD expressed optimism about the lessons learned from the experience.“We gathered considerable insight, and I would absolutely consider launching it again. There’s much potential in this concept, ” he stated.
This exploration of the challenges surrounding Panels is part of a broader discussion addressing key changes Brownlee believes would enhance platforms like YouTube.
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