Modern Co.

Recently I ordered an $80 Raspberry Pi Model 2 Kit from CanaKit. If you don't know what a raspberry pi is you can keep reading: A raspberry pi is a single board computer that was originally produced to help people learn to code. With a price tag of $35 for just the computer and no accessories it is no mystery why the raspberry pi was so successful.
I got the most recent model of the Pi. Although the price has remained the same for all the Pi's (excluding the $5 Pi Zero) I bought it in a kit that included a Raspberry Pi Model 2, a case, an HDMI cable, and a Micro SD card preloaded with NOOBS, along with some other minor accessories like the power cable and two heat sinks.
Using NOOBS, the free software that aids users in installing the operating system of their choice, I installed Raspbian a version of Debian Linux specifically made for the Raspberry Pi. Originally I had been planning on installing Arch Linux, however it was not supported on the Model 2.
I have used Linux before but using Raspbian was a whole new experience. Where Ubuntu was like Windows, Raspbian was a unique experience. One of the first things that I did was download Iceweasel, a port of Fire Fox for Debian. I then overclocked the Pi to a whopping 1000 mHz. I have yet to benchmark the Raspberry Pi in order to assess the effectiveness of that overclock. Minecraft Pi runs buttery smooth on my Pi, this shouldn't come as a surprise if you consider that it is essentially a cut down version of Minecraft Pocket Edition. For basic web browsing this little beast can nearly match the performance of any other computer on the market. This along with the price tag should make you think twice about that Mac you were planning to buy.
Raspian comes pre-loaded with some programs to help you learn to code. I tried Sonic Pi, Blue J, and Wolfram. All these ran as was expected for Linux Ports.
Sure you probably couldn't edit videos on this, but for the money this is a great computer for those just getting into coding or as a throwaway computer for experimenting with linux.

5. Crackle
Crackle is a free app that allows users to stream free movies and tv shows. Although the selection of movies and shows are pretty limited this is a good replacement if you do not have a Netflix account.
4. SwiftKey
While the default keyboard on android is pretty good you should try a third party keyboard. There are plenty of these keyboards to choose from. SwiftKey has one of the more advanced predictive text of all those keyboards.
3. Cortana
Ever since Cortana was released for windows phones Android and iOS have wanted a taste. Now that Cortana is on Google Play you can get the best personal assistant.
2. Network Signal Strength
There aren't too many apps that do this but this app allows you to see what kind of cell connection you are really getting in various parts of your house or work place.
1. WhatsApp
Free messaging internationally and locally.

Top 5 Articles of this Week

5. Apple Lawsuit
4. Apple Car
3. Working Hoverboard
2. Red Star OS
1. Comment below for what #1 should be

I used to be a big fan of phonearena.com; that is until I stopped using AdBlock. If you have never visited their site I suggest that you brace yourself for plenty of pop-up ads and banner ads as well as those click-bait "Sponsored Posts" on your first visit.
I really like PhoneArena but the ads need to stop. I don't have anything against banner ads either. As a matter of fact Modern Consortium has some banner ads. We have a 125x125 button text ad on top and below the featured post we have a Skyscraper image ad, and some of our posts have image ads embedded into them. The featured post is actually a post from our own website so we don't count that as an ad. But the kind of ad that we don't have and hopefully never have is a popup video ad.
I know that many websites other than PhoneArena have those annoying video ads. I feel that website owners should remove their popup ads. I know that they may lose some revenue if they remove popup ads, but they will lose more revenue if they indirectly encourage users to download adblocking software.

Welcome back to a brand new Android Essentials Post.
5. Root your Android
While this isn't essential and could potentially brick your phone: here.
4. Battery Managers
While most devices will last a full day of use. Sometimes certain apps will drain your battery if left open. A battery manager can identify the most battery draining apps.
3. Here Maps
It's no secret that navigation uses a lot of your phones data, but it doesn't have to! Here Maps is available offline so you don't use any of your data.
2. File Browsers
Not all phones allow you to see all your files. These are especially useful if you want to install apks.
1. Amazon Underground
Get many paid apps free or with free in-app purchases. This is completely legal!

Top 5 Tech Articles this Week
5. Netflix Update
4. California Driverless cars
3. Flying Cars!
2. Best Batteries on Android
1. Windows 10 Mobile

PC gaming is a lot better than console gaming. With a higher resolution and frame rate on most games PCs dominate in game performance. But the simplicity of consoles, price, and exclusive titles seems to always draw consumers to them. Currently the most popular gaming consoles include Nintendo's Wii U, Sony's PlayStation, and Microsoft's Xbox. Most Gaming PCs come from a variety of manufacturers and have a large range of hardware and even software. Developing for PCs is significantly harder due to the large range of hardware. Every PC is different and developers have to work harder in order to make the games run as best as they can on each computer. Every PS4 of Xbox ONE is identical so developers can optimize for each one. Also Console users easily shell out $60 for a game but many PC users find deals on some completely legal websites for large discounts. Many console gamers just don't want to go through the hassle of setting up a gaming PC. Usually the simplicity of consoles is a major selling point. Developers just find it easier to develop on a platform that will generate more money and will not be challenge to develop for.

5. Emulators
Disclaimer: While downloading ROMs is illegal, having an application that can run them isn't. Download ROMs at your own risk.
Emulators are great if you would like to play some old school Atari, NES, or even PlayStation games right on your phone for free.
4. Developer Mode
Here's how to unlock it. Developer Mode is pretty much what it sounds like. You get access to some cool features such as being able to see the frame rate in some games.

3. Google Opinion Rewards
This app is found in the Play Store. It allows users to take surveys in exchange for google play money.
2. Bing Rewards
Bing Rewards allows users to earn money (redeemable for a variety of prizes including amazon giftcards) simply by searching on Bing
1. Blue Light Filter

5. Apple Smart Battery Case
4. Surface Phone Rumor
3. Tesla's Rival
2. DIY Electric car
1. 2015 Smartphones

Alright if you haven't noticed already Modern Consortium just got ads! That's right I will now be making money if people click on one of these:

I will start releasing more content in the hopes of making my blog more popular and so I can earn enough money to justify the cost of a domain name that does not include .blogspot.com
We will continue posting on a regular schedule and watch out for the upcoming series (android essentials)
Comment below on what you think about this update to Modern Consortium.

In just about one month Microsoft will be rolling out with their brand new Windows 10 Mobile. While Windows Phones are not always taken seriously due to their lack of apps and strange interface, they are starting to take traction and may one day overtake iOS or even Android in global market share. Most Windows Phone 8 devices will be compatible with the new update.

This new update will bring many new features to the table such as Continuum (Only on select devices) Continuum allows one to use their windows phone like a PC by connecting their phone to a monitor. Most apps scale up to the size of the monitor. While this could be a useful feature not many people will switch from having a plain old laptop anytime soon.


Windows Phones have always been known for their security and this new update will be no different. This update will hopefully bring all of the major Microsoft products (Xbox, Windows, and windows phone) together into one unified product. The interface of Windows Phones has always been relatively the same since Windows Phone 7 came out. This still holds true even after a few slight tweaks on the interface. Hopefully this new update will revolutionize the market and bring many changes to the smartphone world.

While the eighth generation consoles (Xbox ONE, PS4, and Wii U) have been out for almost three years the seventh generation consoles (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii) are still getting new games. Though this number has steadily decreased over the past years, and is now virtually non-existent for the wii, these consoles may still have some life in them. Many games can be found for a lot cheaper on the seventh gen consoles if you are willing to sacrifice some graphical performance for price. The PS2's life cycle was very long in comparison to most consoles. Sony was still manufacturing PS2's well into the PS3's life cycle. However problems still plague the Xbox 360 such as the red ring of death. Ever since the Xbox One's feature of backwards compatibility was announced the Xbox 360 has slowly faded from the memories of gamers. Even though the PS4 is backwards compatible with PS2 games, it has yet to make an impact on the PS3. When thinking about the PS3, free online gameplay comes to mind, a feature not found on the PS4.
Although the PS3 is still quite relevant. I think that the Xbox 360 is nearly dead. In just half a year the Xbox 360 probably will no longer be for sale on places other than ebay. The PS3 should fall short of the PS2's record while still selling well.

Changes coming to this blog. Read about them here.