This paper explores the design of technologies to support strong-tie relationships, focusing on how interactive technologies are used in intimate relationships and how to design technologies that support intimate acts. The authors used cultural probes and contextual interviews to investigate how interactive technologies are used in intimate relationships. They generated a thematic understanding of intimacy and the use of interactional technologies to support intimate acts, which informed the design of intimate technologies. A selection of their design concepts is presented. Intimacy is a crucial element of domestic life, and many interactive technologies designed for other purposes have been appropriated for use within intimate relationships. However, there is a deficit in current understandings of how technologies are used within intimate relationships, and how to design technologies to support intimate acts. The authors report on work that has addressed these deficits. The paper discusses the use of technologies to mediate intimacy, including examples such as the Sensing Bed and the Gustbowl. These technologies aim to support strong-tie relationships by using physical and sensory interactions to enhance emotional connections. The authors also discuss the challenges of studying mediated intimacy, including the ephemeral and transient nature of intimate acts, the need for privacy, and the complexity of emotional significance in intimate interactions. The research involved six Caucasian couples in stable heterosexual relationships. The study used cultural probes, contextual interviews, and design workshops to gather data and generate design concepts. The findings highlight the importance of self-disclosure, trust, commitment, and the emotional and physical aspects of intimacy. The authors propose design ideas such as the Secret Touch and i.Fuzz, which aim to support intimate acts through tactile and visual interactions. The paper concludes that the design of technologies to support intimate relationships requires a deep understanding of the emotional and physical aspects of intimacy. The authors emphasize the importance of creating technologies that enhance emotional connections and support the ongoing maintenance of intimate relationships. The study also highlights the need for further research and development in this area to better understand and support intimate relationships through technology.This paper explores the design of technologies to support strong-tie relationships, focusing on how interactive technologies are used in intimate relationships and how to design technologies that support intimate acts. The authors used cultural probes and contextual interviews to investigate how interactive technologies are used in intimate relationships. They generated a thematic understanding of intimacy and the use of interactional technologies to support intimate acts, which informed the design of intimate technologies. A selection of their design concepts is presented. Intimacy is a crucial element of domestic life, and many interactive technologies designed for other purposes have been appropriated for use within intimate relationships. However, there is a deficit in current understandings of how technologies are used within intimate relationships, and how to design technologies to support intimate acts. The authors report on work that has addressed these deficits. The paper discusses the use of technologies to mediate intimacy, including examples such as the Sensing Bed and the Gustbowl. These technologies aim to support strong-tie relationships by using physical and sensory interactions to enhance emotional connections. The authors also discuss the challenges of studying mediated intimacy, including the ephemeral and transient nature of intimate acts, the need for privacy, and the complexity of emotional significance in intimate interactions. The research involved six Caucasian couples in stable heterosexual relationships. The study used cultural probes, contextual interviews, and design workshops to gather data and generate design concepts. The findings highlight the importance of self-disclosure, trust, commitment, and the emotional and physical aspects of intimacy. The authors propose design ideas such as the Secret Touch and i.Fuzz, which aim to support intimate acts through tactile and visual interactions. The paper concludes that the design of technologies to support intimate relationships requires a deep understanding of the emotional and physical aspects of intimacy. The authors emphasize the importance of creating technologies that enhance emotional connections and support the ongoing maintenance of intimate relationships. The study also highlights the need for further research and development in this area to better understand and support intimate relationships through technology.