Researchers at the University of San Diego, in collaboration with Google, are repurposing old Google Pixel phones into affordable computing clusters for schools. This initiative aims to reduce e-waste and provide low-cost computing resources.

The project involves stripping Pixel phones down to their motherboards, which are then assembled into clusters. This "phone cluster computing" leverages the significant processing power still present in discarded devices, with a single Pixel motherboard accounting for 50 percent of a phone's carbon footprint. A cluster of 20 Pixel motherboards can already support educational apps for up to 75 students, with plans for a 2,000-strong cluster to serve a hundred classes.

Interestingly, the research revealed that recent Pixel models, like the Google Pixel Fold, can match or even outperform modern servers in single-threaded performance. This project addresses the significant environmental impact of smartphone e-waste, as users typically replace devices every four years, leading to millions of discarded phones annually that contribute to hazardous waste and resource depletion.