Marques Brownlee, known as MKBHD, faced backlash over his new wallpaper app, Panels, due to its high subscription cost ($49.99/year) and concerns over excessive data permissions.

Brownlee acknowledged user feedback, promising to adjust ad frequency for free users and address privacy concerns, clarifying that the app’s data disclosures were broader than intended.

The app, which offers curated wallpapers and shares profits with artists, aims to improve over time, despite criticisms of its design and monetization approach.

    • x00za@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      8 hours ago

      30% is still predatory imo. Especially for a glorified marketplace with an image delivery system.

      • el_bhm@lemm.ee
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        7 hours ago

        He is fronting money for development. Which is not cheap.

        Once dev cost stabilizes, I would love to have a better split for artists.

        • x00za@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          5 hours ago

          Dev cost is less than you’d think. And lowering costs when you make an app that’s meant to generate money for you? That will never happen.