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Modular Smartphones Could Be Reused As Computer Clusters

Posted by samzenpus on from the build-your-own dept.

itwbennett writes The promise of modular smartphones like Google's Project Ara is that buyers will be able to upgrade components at will — and now Finnish company Circular Devices has come up with a use for discarded computing modules, which they're calling Puzzlecluster. Drawings of the Puzzlecluster architecture show a chassis with slots for the reused modules, which can then be interconnected with others to create the cluster. Just one unit could also be used as a desktop computer."

3 of 82 comments (clear)

  1. pointless by itzly · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Clusters of underpowered processors are not nearly as useful as a single powerful processor.

  2. Re:Depends on use by ihtoit · · Score: 4, Insightful

    unless you're talking about a shop in middle Africa or even Outback, China that proposes to utilise such a system in a mesh network to bring remote communities one step closer to being Facebook zombies.

    Hell, for that matter - how much processing power do you need to run a DHCP router?
    Or a DVR?
    Or a home automation system? Something as simple as an automatic garage door opener?
    An RFID reader?

    There's a BUNCH of uses for low power/small iron that Big Iron would be utterly WASTED on. The aforementioned is not, by any means, exhaustive.

    --
    Political debates have me rolling my eyes so much I think I got optical whiplash. I should sue. - Foamy The Squirrel
  3. Because this is so completely unlike... by kenh · · Score: 3, Insightful

    ...the Raspberry Pi board, you know, that $30-35 "PC" that not needs a keyboard, mouse, SD card, TV, case and power up ply to be usable as a desktop...

    What makes his project not cost efficient IMHO is going to be the collection and testing of recycled modules.

    --
    Ken