ReachOut

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an app for keeping in touch.

Project created for HackTech, 2022.

The Problem

Communities evolve over time, and physical distance makes it difficult to stay connected. Despite the endless technology at our fingertips, �it is too often too easy to fall out of touch �with friends.

How do people currently stay connected online?

The Problem: Video Calling

Ex: Zoom, FaceTime, Discord, Skype, & more

• For close friends
• Requires scheduling
• Needs to be synchronous

The Problem: Traditional Messaging

Ex: text/iMessage, Messenger, Whatsapp, & more

• Can be out of the blue for some friends
• Feeling that there needs to be something to say or share in order to message
• Have to think about what to say/ask
• Fear of bothering the other person

The Problem: Social Media Apps

Ex: Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat & More

• For all acquaintances (close, casual, work)
• Personal privacy concerns
• Potentially flooding others’ feeds
• Highly curated and polished (less genuine)

Current Sentiments

“It’s hard to make time to talk to some of my friends, especially close friends that were part of my high school community. Now that we go to colleges across the nation, and have time zone differences, it’s a struggle :( I wish there was an easier way to keep in touch.”

Jacob H., 20

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keep in touch

friends

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close friends

acquaintances

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keep in touch

friends

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close friends

(video call)

acquaintances

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keep in touch

friends�

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close friends

(video call)

acquaintances

(social media)

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keep in touch

friends�(?)

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close friends

(video call)

acquaintances

(social media)

Our Solution

Introducing ReachOut.

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What is ReachOut?

ReachOut is an application that changes the way you interact with your keep-in-touch friends.

How it Works

Demo

High Fidelity

User Feedback

Grow User #’s

What’s next for ReachOut?

Polished design and technical functionality, ready to be deployed

Getting feedback from beta users, conducting interviews and research

Users bring on friends; a large user base makes this more effective

Thank You!

Created by

Ryan Chan and Laura Pei

for HackTech, 2022