diff --git a/examples/all-in-one-no-pm.py b/examples/all-in-one-no-pm.py
old mode 100644
new mode 100755
index 367ebeb..f7ebcdc
--- a/examples/all-in-one-no-pm.py
+++ b/examples/all-in-one-no-pm.py
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ def display_text(variable, data, unit):
 
 # Get the temperature of the CPU for compensation
 def get_cpu_temperature():
-    process = Popen(['vcgencmd', 'measure_temp'], stdout=PIPE)
+    process = Popen(['vcgencmd', 'measure_temp'], stdout=PIPE, universal_newlines=True)
     output, _error = process.communicate()
     return float(output[output.index('=') + 1:output.rindex("'")])
 
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ def get_cpu_temperature():
 # temperature down, and increase to adjust up
 factor = 0.8
 
-cpu_temps = [0] * 5
+cpu_temps = [get_cpu_temperature()] * 5
 
 delay = 0.5  # Debounce the proximity tap
 mode = 0  # The starting mode
diff --git a/examples/all-in-one.py b/examples/all-in-one.py
index 8ba7681..ca0760b 100755
--- a/examples/all-in-one.py
+++ b/examples/all-in-one.py
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ def display_text(variable, data, unit):
 
 # Get the temperature of the CPU for compensation
 def get_cpu_temperature():
-    process = Popen(['vcgencmd', 'measure_temp'], stdout=PIPE)
+    process = Popen(['vcgencmd', 'measure_temp'], stdout=PIPE, universal_newlines=True)
     output, _error = process.communicate()
     return float(output[output.index('=') + 1:output.rindex("'")])
 
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ def get_cpu_temperature():
 # temperature down, and increase to adjust up
 factor = 0.8
 
-cpu_temps = [0] * 5
+cpu_temps = [get_cpu_temperature()] * 5
 
 delay = 0.5  # Debounce the proximity tap
 mode = 0  # The starting mode
diff --git a/examples/compensated-temperature.py b/examples/compensated-temperature.py
index 048eb80..2733f56 100755
--- a/examples/compensated-temperature.py
+++ b/examples/compensated-temperature.py
@@ -24,9 +24,8 @@
 
 # Get the temperature of the CPU for compensation
 def get_cpu_temperature():
-    process = Popen(['vcgencmd', 'measure_temp'], stdout=PIPE)
+    process = Popen(['vcgencmd', 'measure_temp'], stdout=PIPE, universal_newlines=True)
     output, _error = process.communicate()
-    output = output.decode()
     return float(output[output.index('=') + 1:output.rindex("'")])
 
 
@@ -34,7 +33,7 @@ def get_cpu_temperature():
 # temperature down, and increase to adjust up
 factor = 0.8
 
-cpu_temps = [0] * 5
+cpu_temps = [get_cpu_temperature()] * 5
 
 while True:
     cpu_temp = get_cpu_temperature()
diff --git a/examples/luftdaten.py b/examples/luftdaten.py
index 4d3d49a..c5b0387 100755
--- a/examples/luftdaten.py
+++ b/examples/luftdaten.py
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ def read_values():
 
 # Get CPU temperature to use for compensation
 def get_cpu_temperature():
-    process = Popen(['vcgencmd', 'measure_temp'], stdout=PIPE)
+    process = Popen(['vcgencmd', 'measure_temp'], stdout=PIPE, universal_newlines=True)
     output, _error = process.communicate()
     return float(output[output.index('=') + 1:output.rindex("'")])