Helping people build confidence with smartphones through patient, step-by-step guidance.
StayWithMe is an open-source, research-driven project exploring how technology can become more patient, accessible, and empowering for people who are learning to use smartphones.
Instead of expecting users to adapt to technology, StayWithMe asks a different question:
What if technology could patiently walk alongside people instead of expecting them to already know what to do?
- Project Status
- Why Stay With Me?
- Our Approach
- Documentation
- Project Roadmap
- Repository Structure
- Contributing
- Looking Ahead
Current Stage: Research & Discovery
StayWithMe is currently focused on understanding the challenges faced by older adults, first-time smartphone users, and anyone with limited digital confidence before moving into design and development.
We believe the best products begin with understanding people—not writing code.
Smartphones have become essential for communication, healthcare, banking, education, and countless everyday activities.
Yet millions of people still struggle with tasks many of us take for granted.
Not because they're incapable.
But because today's technology often assumes users already understand how everything works.
StayWithMe exists to explore a more supportive approach—one that helps people learn with confidence instead of fear.
Rather than jumping straight into development, StayWithMe follows a research-first process.
Every stage of the project is guided by documentation, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to understanding real user needs.
Current priorities include:
- Researching digital accessibility challenges.
- Understanding first-time smartphone users.
- Designing supportive learning experiences.
- Exploring accessible interaction patterns.
- Building in public.
The project documentation lives inside the docs directory.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Problem Statement | Defines the problem StayWithMe aims to solve. |
| Research | Captures observations, assumptions, and future research plans. |
| Design Principles | Documents the principles guiding every design decision. |
| User Personas | Introduces representative users and their needs. |
Additional project documents include:
If you're exploring StayWithMe for the first time, here's a suggested path through the project:
- Read the Problem Statement to understand the challenge we're addressing.
- Explore the Research to learn about the project's current findings and assumptions.
- Review the Design Principles that guide every decision.
- Meet the User Personas to understand who we're designing for.
- Explore the Project Roadmap to see what's planned next.
- Read the Contributing Guide if you'd like to participate in the project.
The project will evolve through six phases:
- ✅ Project Foundation
- 🔄 Product Discovery
- ⏳ Experience Design
- ⏳ MVP Development
- ⏳ Community Testing
- ⏳ Public Release
See the Project Roadmap for the complete development plan.
StayWithMe/
│
├── docs/
│ ├── problem-statement.md
│ ├── research.md
│ ├── design-principles.md
│ └── user-personas.md
│
├── ROADMAP.md
├── CONTRIBUTING.md
├── CHANGELOG.md
├── LICENSE
└── README.md
Contributions of every size are welcome.
Whether you're improving documentation, sharing research, reporting bugs, suggesting ideas, or writing code, your contribution helps move StayWithMe forward.
Please read the Contributing Guide before opening an Issue or Pull Request.
StayWithMe is more than an application.
It's an exploration of what technology could look like if it were designed to teach with patience, encourage confidence, and make digital experiences more accessible for everyone.
We're just getting started.
Whether you're here to learn, share ideas, improve documentation, or contribute to future development, thank you for being part of the journey.