A hidden microphone on a SF street pole is spotting 'bops' in the wild

In San Francisco's Mission district, a project called the "Bop Spotter" has been set up to capture and identify music being played in the area. This initiative involves a hidden microphone installed on a street pole, which is connected to a solar-powered box containing an old Android phone running the song identification app, Shazam. The device operates continuously, identifying songs and uploading the information to a website, allowing users to experience the local music scene remotely. As of a recent update, the Bop Spotter has detected a variety of songs, including "Wildest Dreams" by Taylor Swift and "Act Right" by Yo Gotti. The project, initiated by Riley Walz, was completed as a weekend endeavor with a budget of approximately $100. Walz expressed particular enjoyment in capturing the song "Just the Two of Us" by Bill Withers and Grover Washington, which was played in the Mission at 3 AM on a Sunday.

- The "Bop Spotter" captures and identifies music in San Francisco's Mission district.

- It uses a hidden microphone and an old Android phone running Shazam.

- The project was created by Riley Walz as a weekend project costing around $100.

- The Bop Spotter uploads identified songs to a website for public access.

- A variety of music styles have been detected, showcasing the local music scene.