Apple Launches 'For All Mankind: Time Capsule' Augmented Reality App

or All Mankind tells the story of an alternate history in which the Soviet Union beat the United States to the moon leading to an extended space race in the ’70s and beyond, tracing the relationship between Danny Stevens and his parents, the astronauts Gordo and Tracy Stevens. Viewers can unpack a virtual time capsule, will be able to interact with a variety of objects, such as a mixtape and an Apple II computer which illustrate the family relationship.

The 'For All Mankind: Time Capsule' app was developed on Apple's ARKit framework, which is built to offer augmented reality experiences for the 2020 iPad Pro models and the iPhone 12 lineup. The app walks users through a linear exploration with around 45 and 60 minutes of content, however, it also suggests that it may also be designed to support further exploration and additional visits.

Those who download the app will be able to check “D-mail” and play a text adventure game on the computer, and if they own an Apple device with a LiDAR scanner (such as an iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max or iPad Pro) they can use a virtual slide projector to project Danny’s family photos onto their own walls. The app is a noteworthy sign of Apple’s interest in AR, even beyond the reports that it’s working on AR glasses.

Producer of “For All Mankind”, Ben McGinnis stated that the app was developed in parallel with the show’s second season, with the creative team working with Apple to figure out “which objects were best for getting the story across,” and offering feedback as the actual AR objects were developed.

Creator and executive producer Ron Moore commented that he’s excited about the possibility of giving fans new ways to explore the show’s world and characters, especially since writers on the show often create far more material than what ends up on screen.

“Part of the promise of this technology is that a fan of any show, by definition, usually wants to know more about it, more about the characters,”

Moore said.

For example, “For All Mankind”‘s team had written things like love letters and newscasts that are only seen briefly on screen. These elements could then be used in the app, along with additional material by Stephanie Shannon, a writer on the show. Moore said, the key is to “play fair by the audience that just wants to show up.”

Moore concluded by stating:

“You can certainly watch ‘For All Mankind’ on-air without the AR stuff… But if you do the AR stuff first, it enriches your experience.”

Apple describes "For All Mankind: Time Capsule" as a new augmented reality experience that "brings the world of the popular ‌Apple TV+‌ Series 'For All Mankind' right into the homes of fans." The "For All Mankind: Time Capsule" app can be downloaded from the App Store for free.