This is your final chance to win an Apple Watch in our Big Guessing Game (updated)
Are you excited to test your tech prediction skills for a chance to win a brand-new Apple Watch? The Mashable Big Guessing Game Apple Edition brought tech enthusiasts together to predict Apple's biggest product announcements ahead of WWDC and the fall launch event. Read on to discover how the contest worked, recap predictions from every round, and find out what to expect as winner selection approaches after the upcoming keynote.
Updated on Sept. 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET - The Mashable Big Guessing Game contest is now finished. We will be selecting winners after the Apple event next week. Good luck with the drawing! Please keep an eye on your email for a message about winning the contest. To follow along with our latest Apple coverage, check out everything we expect from the upcoming September iPhone launch event.
Everything You Need to Know About the Mashable Big Guessing Game Apple Edition
Every year, millions of technology fans tune in to follow Apple's annual keynote announcements. From major software updates introduced during WWDC to hardware reveals at the annual fall launch, anticipation always runs high. To make these unveilings even more engaging, Mashable created an interactive prediction contest for its readers.
The overall challenge was designed to test how well readers could guess Apple's upcoming moves. Participants who jumped into the competition got to test their knowledge on software titles, hardware designs, pricing tiers, and executive presentations. It provided an entertaining venue for Apple followers to put their spec guesses to the test.
Best of all, playing took only a single minute of time. By selecting answers to five simple questions in each round, participants could lock in their predictions and gain entries into a grand prize sweepstakes. Every single accurate guess provided another ticket into the drawing for a new Apple Watch.
What Is the Latest Update on Contest Entries and Winner Drawings?
The third and final round of the competition officially closed on September 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT. With the deadline now past, new entries are no longer being accepted. The team is currently processing all submitted entries ahead of the official keynote event.
If you submitted your predictions before the final cutoff, your entries are safely locked in. Winners will be drawn shortly after Apple concludes its major presentation next week. Once the product announcements are made official on stage, each player's answers will be verified against the real-world outcome.
All participants should carefully monitor their email inbox following the keynote. If your predictions earn you a winning spot in the final random drawing, you will receive an email notification detailing how to claim your prize. Make sure to check your spam or promotional folders so you do not miss out on important winner communications.
What Were the Prediction Highlights From Round 1 and Round 2?
Before reaching the third and final round, the sweepstakes tested readers on earlier Apple milestones during the spring and summer. Each round brought unique challenges that sparked intense debate among tech enthusiasts.
Round 1: Naming the Next Generation of Mac Software
In the initial kickoff round, players were challenged to guess the official name of Apple's next Mac operating system, macOS 27. Apple is well known for choosing California landmarks and natural icons for its operating system titles, making the potential options nearly endless.
Predicting software names is notoriously difficult because internal codenames rarely leak early. Out of thousands of participants across the nation, only a single reader correctly predicted "Golden Gate". That impressive prediction earned that sharp-eyed reader an extra entry into the final prize pool.
Round 2: Touchscreen Macs vs. Foldable Mobile Hardware
As summer progressed, the second round shifted focus toward rumors surrounding major hardware redesigns and potential new form factors. Industry analysts had spent months debating whether Apple would prioritize touch integration on laptops or flexible displays on mobile phones.
Contestants in Round 2 had to predict whether a foldable iPhone or touchscreen Mac is coming this year. Because Apple keeps hardware prototypes strictly secret until keynotes, these questions kept everyone guessing right up to the final event.
What Apple Predictions Were Featured in Round 3?
The third and final installment of the Mashable Big Guessing Game Apple Edition focused directly on the September "Surprise and Shine" keynote event. This round featured five distinct questions about expected hardware releases and keynote presentation details.
The fall presentation is widely recognized as Apple's biggest announcement window of the year. The final round asked fans to make specific calls regarding several major product categories and presentation elements:
- The Foldable Smartphone Lineup: Readers offered predictions on whether Apple will reveal a highly anticipated foldable iPhone, along with what official product name Apple might choose for it.
- Executive Keynote Appearances: Participants guessed whether new CEO John Ternus will make a dramatic appearance on top of the Apple Park roof during the video presentation.
- Flagship Smartphone Pricing: Players submitted exact estimates on how much the top-tier iPhone Pro Max model will cost at launch.
- Audio Accessories and Wearables: Questions covered updates to popular accessory lines, including next-generation AirPods and upcoming Apple Watch models.
- Keynote Event Highlights: Fans guessed specific event surprises for the September "Surprise and Shine" event taking place on Sept. 9.
How Did the Entry and Scoring System Work?
Understanding how the sweepstakes scoring works helps explain why every prediction mattered. Unlike standard contests that rely purely on random entry forms, this game rewarded tech knowledge and accurate forecasting.
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how entries were gathered and processed throughout the competition:
- Selecting Answers: Players answered five multiple-choice questions regarding upcoming hardware, software, or event logistics in each round.
- Earning Sweepstakes Tickets: For every answer that correctly matches official Apple announcements, the participant earns one additional drawing entry.
- Maximizing Odds: Players who entered early and scored correct answers across multiple rounds accumulated the highest number of entries in the final pool.
- Verifying Announcements: Following the live September 9 keynote, official answers are confirmed against what Apple officially announces on stage.
- Drawing Winners: A random drawing will be held among all validated entry tickets to pick the winner of the new Apple Watch.
Because accurate guesses generate more entries, participants who followed Apple rumors closely held a strategic advantage in maximizing their chances of winning.
What Are the Official Sweepstakes Rules and Fine Print?
Every official giveaway requires transparent rules to protect participants and ensure fair play. The legal terms governing the CNET Group Big Guessing Game Giveaway outline clear eligibility rules and timelines for all entrants.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter or win the "CNET Group Big Guessing Game" Giveaway. A purchase or payment of any kind will not increase your chances of winning. The contest is strictly open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.
The giveaway window originally began on May 19, 2026 at 12:01 p.m. ET and officially concluded on Sept. 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Entries submitted outside this timeframe are void. The contest is void where prohibited by law and is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
For complete details regarding legal disclaimers, odds of winning, and prize descriptions, players can review the official contest terms at the https://www.mashable.com/article/mashable-big-guessing-game-apple-edition-official-contest-rules/ webpage. The official sponsor of this sweepstakes is Ziff Davis, LLC.
Please note that Apple Inc. is not a sponsor of, affiliated with, or an endorser of this contest or sweepstakes. Apple Watch is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners.
Conclusion: Ready for the Apple Keynote?
The Mashable Big Guessing Game Apple Edition brought tech enthusiasts together to celebrate the excitement of Apple's biggest launch season. Whether you guessed correctly on macOS names, foldable hardware features, or pricing models, each accurate prediction boosted your chances in the grand drawing. Get ready for the September 9 keynote event, keep an eye on your email inbox, and good luck to everyone waiting for the Apple Watch drawing!
from Mashable
-via DynaSage
