# Your Last Chance to Predict Apple's Next Watch: Lifehacker's Contest Ends Soon
Lifehacker is running down the clock on a prediction contest that invites readers to guess what Apple will announce for its next-generation Apple Watch. The contest window closes soon, so anyone interested in participating needs to act quickly.
The mechanics are straightforward. Readers submit predictions about upcoming Apple Watch features, design changes, or specifications that Apple plans to reveal later this year. Lifehacker will then compare predictions against Apple's actual announcement. The reader whose forecast comes closest to reality wins a new Apple Watch.
This type of contest taps into a real gap in consumer awareness. Apple rarely telegraphs product details in advance. The company maintains strict secrecy around upcoming hardware releases. This leaves consumers, tech enthusiasts, and even industry analysts essentially guessing about what comes next. A prediction contest transforms that uncertainty into engagement and turns readers into active participants in the tech rumor cycle.
Apple typically updates its watch line annually or every other year. Previous generations have introduced health features like blood oxygen monitoring, ECG capabilities, and temperature sensing. Display technology has improved with brighter screens and better outdoor visibility. Battery life has expanded incrementally. Processor speed and performance have increased with each iteration. Any of these areas could see enhancement in the next model.
The timing of this contest matters. Apple's announcement events usually happen in fall, often in September or October. That schedule gives readers several months to research, think through possibilities, and submit educated guesses. Industry leaks and supplier rumors often surface weeks or months before official announcements. Savvy participants can review tech blogs, supply chain reports, and patent filings to inform their predictions.
For casual Apple Watch owners, this contest offers a way to think intentionally about what features they actually want. Current owners of Series 8 or earlier models might consider what would convince them to upgrade. Potential buyers might identify which new capability would finally push them to purchase their first watch.
The prize itself matters to the value proposition. An Apple Watch retails between $250 and $800 depending on the model and materials chosen. A standard aluminum Sport model runs around $250 to $400. Stainless steel editions cost more. The cellular versions add another $100. Winning that hardware essentially provides a full year or more of wearable functionality at zero cost.
This contest also highlights how Apple maintains control over its narrative. By keeping product plans secret, Apple forces consumers to speculate. When announcement day arrives, the company controls the reveal and shapes how people perceive new capabilities. Competitors like Garmin, Samsung with its Galaxy Watch line, and Fitbit operate differently, often releasing more information before official launches. Apple's approach generates more hype and press coverage.
Readers interested in participating should check Lifehacker's Two Cents section for official contest rules, the submission deadline, and specific prediction categories. The exact closing date determines how much time remains, so visiting the contest page directly provides the most current information.