Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) announced that his wallpaper app, Panels, will shut down on December 31, 2025—about 15 months after its September 2024 launch.

In an unlisted YouTube video and a notice on the app’s website, Brownlee cited challenges in sustaining the project, including a changing development team and difficulty finding collaborators who shared his vision for a “vibrant ecosystem” supporting artists and high-quality wallpapers.

The Rocky Launch and Monetization Backlash

Panels debuted as a marketplace for exclusive, artist-partnered wallpapers inspired by Brownlee’s own device reviews fans often asked about his stunning lock screens. But it hit immediate turbulence, $11.99/month or $49.99/year for full-resolution downloads with artists getting a cut. Free users could only access 1080p versions after watching ads.

The app requested location data, cross-app tracking, and other permissions that felt overly intrusive for a wallpaper tool. Critics called it “DOA” (dead on arrival), arguing why pay for digital images when free options abound (e.g., Google Photos, Reddit, or personal shots).

It topped download charts briefly but saw low conversion to paid users—despite 2 million wallpaper downloads overall. Brownlee responded by slashing prices to $2/month, improving the free tier, and tweaking privacy features. However, as he noted, “we made mistakes in making our first app, and ultimately, we weren’t able to turn it into the vision I had.”

The niche market for paid wallpapers proved too small to sustain growth. All downloaded or purchased ones are yours forever—no rescinding. Full access until Dec 31; automatic pro-rated refunds for active annual subs post-shutdown. Early refunds available via the site.

It’ll vanish from App Store and Google Play soon. All user data deleted after closure. In January 2026, the code drops on GitHub under Apache 2.0 license—free for anyone to fork and build a spiritual successor. Brownlee called it a “rollercoaster ride” with some wins, like artist partnerships, but ultimately a learning experience in app development.

The launch of Panels in September 2024 was a masterclass in how not to debut a product, especially from a creator like Marques Brownlee, who’s built a reputation for razor-sharp critiques of tech giants.

The app, meant to curate high-quality wallpapers from artists inspired by fan queries about his review setups, instead became a lightning rod for backlash.

The main criticisms, drawn from user reactions, reviews, and media coverage. At $11.99/month or $49.99/year for full-res downloads with ads for 1080p free tier, it screamed “subscription fatigue.” Users mocked it as absurd—why pay premium for pixels when free alternatives like Unsplash, Reddit, or your camera roll exist?

Brownlee admitted the pricing was a “mistake,” slashing it to $2/month post-launch, but the damage stuck. As one X user put it, it felt like a “quick cash grab” from a guy who calls out corporate greed. Revenue data later revealed a stark reality: ~900,000 downloads but only ~$95,000 in purchases across platforms.

The free tier forced 30-second unskippable ads per download, making it feel punitive. Early users called the interface “clunky” and ad-riddled, with one X post uninstalling after 10 seconds and questioning if anyone on the team had the guts to flag it.

It launched during Brownlee’s iPhone 16 review video his biggest of the year, turning comments into a hate-fest and tanking engagement. Requesting location, cross-app tracking, and usage data for a wallpaper app? That sparked “creepy” accusations, eroding trust in Brownlee’s privacy-conscious brand. Fixes came later, but not before App Store reviews piled on.

MKBHD, who “canceled” startups like Humane and Fisker with scathing reviews, faced the same scrutiny: “You gotta be ready to take what you dish out.” X threads roasted it as out-of-touch, damaging his “quality advocate” image—especially since wallpapers aren’t a “must-have” justifying subs.

Panels’ shutdown on Dec 31, 2025—just 15 months in—ripples beyond one app. It’s a sobering case study for creators dipping into product waters, with broader takeaways. This is a gut-check on monetizing “side hustles.” Brownlee’s 20M+ subs didn’t translate to sustainable revenue in a saturated, low-barrier niche like wallpapers.

It highlights the subscription economy’s pitfalls: Users are weary of $X/month for non-essentials, and one misstep can torch credibility. As app expert Sarah Chen noted, “Even the most trusted voices can’t force consumers to accept pricing they perceive as unreasonable.”

Expect more cautious pivots—maybe merch or tools with clearer value—over apps that feel like grifts. It also flips the script: Brownlee’s review power blamed for company downfalls now invites “what about your failures?” blowback.

Data deletion post-shutdown sets a privacy-positive precedent, potentially inspiring ethical exits. Artists lose a revenue stream but gain exposure via the code drop. It empowers users: Vote with wallets, and even icons fold.

In the end, Panels was an ambitious swing that whiffed, but Brownlee’s transparency salvages some goodwill. It’s a reminder: Tech’s easy to critique, hard to build. Will this dent MKBHD long-term? But it’ll make future ventures sharper.

Reports emerged confirming that the Trump administration is pivoting from its earlier AI initiatives to prioritize robotics as a key pillar of U.S. industrial policy.

This move aims to bolster domestic manufacturing, enhance national security, and counter China’s lead in robotics deployment—where the U.S. currently lags with roughly 450,000 industrial robots installed compared to China’s 1.8 million.

The strategy aligns with President Trump’s “America First” agenda, emphasizing reshoring production through advanced automation while integrating AI advancements from prior efforts like the July 2025.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has been actively engaging with CEOs from the robotics sector, signaling strong administration support for rapid industry growth. Sources describe Lutnick as “all in” on acceleration, with discussions focusing on policy incentives like tax breaks, streamlined regulations, and increased federal funding.

The White House is evaluating an executive order on robotics for issuance in 2026, which could formalize national goals for development, deployment, and ethical use. This would mirror the AI executive order from November 2025, dubbed the “Genesis Mission,” which mobilized federal resources for AI-driven scientific breakthroughs, including robotic labs.

The Department of Transportation is forming a federal robotics working group to integrate automation into infrastructure and logistics. On Capitol Hill, Republicans are advancing legislative proposals after a failed amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would have created a national robotics commission.

New bills could provide dedicated funding and R&D support. U.S. robotics funding is projected to reach $2.3 billion in 2025—double 2024 levels—driven by private-sector interest. Goldman Sachs forecasts the global humanoid robotics market hitting $38 billion by 2035, with U.S. leadership seen as critical to economic competitiveness.

The Commerce Department emphasized: “We are committed to robotics and advanced manufacturing because they are central to bringing critical production back to the United States.”

The announcement sparked immediate enthusiasm in robotics-related stocks:Tesla (TSLA): Shares rose 1%, buoyed by its Optimus humanoid robot program and Elon Musk’s close ties to Trump.

Serve Robotics (SERV): Surged 8% on its autonomous delivery tech.

Richtech Robotics (RR): Jumped 11%, reflecting gains for smaller automation players.

Teradyne (TER): Up 1%, as a key supplier of testing equipment for robotics.

Analysts view this as a “supercharge” for sectors like defense like drones and surveillance bots, healthcare surgical assistants, and logistics warehouse automation.

Industry groups, including the Secure Cloud and Supply Chain Policy (SCSP), have urged a national strategy to foster U.S. leadership through government-industry-academia collaboration.

This robotics focus builds on Trump’s AI “Genesis Mission,” which integrated supercomputing and federal datasets to automate experiments in areas like advanced manufacturing.

It positions robotics as the next “front” in the U.S.-China tech race, where countries like Japan, Germany, and Singapore already have dedicated national plans. Proponents argue it could drive 4-5% annual GDP growth via productivity gains, but critics highlight risks.

AI-powered robots may displace manufacturing jobs, potentially undermining Trump’s promises to revive blue-collar work. Reskilling programs and ethical guidelines will be essential to mitigate workforce impacts.

Overall, this signals a proactive industrial policy shift, with robotics poised to redefine U.S. manufacturing resilience. Watch for the 2026 executive order as a potential catalyst for further investments and partnerships.