Lifehacker Launches Multi-Round Apple Prediction Contest for 2026

Lifehacker has introduced an interactive engagement initiative titled the "Big Guessing Game," designed to capitalize on the tech community's ongoing fascination with Apple’s product roadmap. Throughout 2026, the publication is challenging readers to forecast specific details regarding Apple’s upcoming software updates, hardware releases, and major keynote announcements. By gamifying the speculation process, the platform aims to deepen audience interaction during the lead-up to Apple’s high-profile product launches.

The contest is structured into three distinct rounds, each targeting a different facet of Apple’s ecosystem. The first round, which focused on software, has already concluded, while the second round—centered on hardware devices—is scheduled to run from July 7 to July 21. The final phase will occur in late August and early September, coinciding with the company’s anticipated fall event. Participants earn entries into a grand-prize drawing for an Apple Watch by correctly predicting the outcomes of various product announcements.

This initiative represents a broader collaborative effort across the CNET Group, including Mashable, PCMag, and ZDNET. By distributing 75 unique questions across these platforms, the media group is effectively incentivizing cross-site traffic and sustained reader engagement throughout the year. For tech enthusiasts, the contest offers a structured way to test their industry knowledge against the actual announcements made by Apple, turning passive observation into an active, competitive experience.

While the contest is strictly for U.S. residents aged 18 and older, it highlights a growing trend in digital media: using interactive sweepstakes to foster community and loyalty. By aligning their content strategy with the high-interest cycles of the tech industry, these publications are successfully maintaining reader attention in an increasingly fragmented digital landscape.