🎬MKBHD's new app

TECH
MKBHD gets a taste of his own medicine

Fans are ripping apart Marques Brownlee’s new app, and he can’t even wear the “they don’t make statues of critics” shirt.

Brownlee, the popular tech reviewer best known as MKBHD on YouTube, released a digital wallpaper app this week called Panels following years of comments on his videos complimenting the high-quality backgrounds on his devices.

The man has got history. The famously straight-shooting product review guru has been credited (infamously) with the demise of many startups following his reviews. In April, he tore apart a futuristic AI pin, intended to replace our smartphones in a 6-minute YouTube video titled “The Worst Product I’ve Ever Reviewed…For Now”. The video had 6 million views and the company that made the pin, Humane Inc. has since been listed as insolvent and is looking for a buyout.

Then things went south. Fans were upset at the app’s Panels Plus subscription cost ($12/month or $50/year) for high-quality, downloadable images from digital artists—which is much higher than similar apps. Users can also watch two ads to download one standard-quality wallpaper, a significant downgrade from the 4K paid versions.

Other complaints included:

• The app asks for permission on iOS to track your activity on other websites..the feature that has generated the most whiplash.

• Brownlee said artists can use AI to generate wallpapers for the app.

• An X user named AppleLeaker also pointed out that the app appears to be a repackaged wallpaper app from 2021, which Brownlee denied.

Looking ahead: Brownlee has responded to the backlash about his new app saying “he’s going to address users’ concerns about pricing and excessive data disclosures.” This would be his third venture post-YouTube after his work with accessory maker, Ridge and his sneaker collaborations. -GN

SNIPPETS

Joe Biden is set to make his first (and last) ever visit to Africa as US President. The President will only be visiting Angola to discuss the pressing issues of oil security and -no we’re not kidding- his vision for a trans-African railway that will link the Atlantic and Indian oceans.

Peace offering. Djibouti has offered Ethiopia a new port deal to ease tensions with Somalia over trade routes and economic access. The proposal aims to create stability in the Horn of Africa as both Ethiopia and Somalia grapple with regional conflicts.

Zimbabwe is considering a controversial proposal to cull elephants in response to drought-induced food shortages. Conservationists oppose the move, arguing for alternative solutions to protect wildlife and human livelihoods.

Kenya hosted the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, where leaders demanded increased climate financing. Wealthier nations were called out for failing to fund Africa’s quest to adapt to climate change. Well…would you look at the world?

Toodles. French and former Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane retires at 31. His last full game was during Manchester United’s FA Cup victory in May. He won 4 Champions League titles and a World Cup trophy in 2018.