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YouTuber Marques Brownlee has made a name for himself by reviewing the latest technology on offer. He has amassed nearly 20 million subscribers since he joined YouTube in 2008. Brownlee has a record of maintaining open conversations with his fans, especially through his X account or through Q&A sessions, like Ask MKBHD, on his YouTube channel.
Most recently, Marques launched Panels, a mobile app that provides users with high-quality curated wallpapers for their devices. The app offers a freemium model, allowing users to access a selection of wallpapers for free but at a standard resolution.
Premium features, such as higher-resolution wallpapers and exclusive collections, are available through Panels+, which costs $49.99 per year with a current discount, or individual packs for around $8 each. Regarding the price point, some users have called out the high subscription cost and questioned the app's permissions, especially concerning data privacy.
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On September 24, 2024, in a post on X, Marques addressed the pushback.
In the post, he addressed two of the biggest concerns users of the app had - the data disclosures and the premium pricing.
About the data disclosures, Marques Brownlee mentioned that the complaints were justified and he'd be working to fix that:
"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."
In terms of pricing, he mentioned that he'd be working on improving the value of his app in terms of the premium version and would be enhancing the user experience for the free version as well:
"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."
Despite the initial pushback, the app continues to be available on both iOS and Android, and updates are being rolled out based on user feedback.
Revisiting a couple of Marques Brownlee's past product releases
Marques Brownlee, also known as MKBHD, has ventured into several product collaborations, each blending tech culture with unique designs. One standout is his Icons collection with DBrand, released in 2020.
This series featured matte black skins and accessories for tech devices, with an emphasis on minimalism and sleek aesthetics. It included various limited-edition designs, like the "Triple Black" and "Redcode," which are colors commonly associated with the Marques Brownlee YouTube channel.
Another notable collaboration is the Atoms Model 251 sneaker. Launched in 2023, this sneaker was designed with tech lovers in mind, featuring a lightweight, comfortable build with antimicrobial lining and sustainable materials. The "251" in the name is a tribute to the length of Marques' first YouTube video (2 minutes and 51 seconds), making it a symbol of his journey as a creator.
