WiMAX announcement at Macworld?

Update: Not this MAcworld anyway.  Maybe next? 

The OQO has it. So does the Eee PC. Even Windows Mobile Smartphone devices are getting on board. Will WiMAX finally hit the mainstream with an announcement at Macworld?

Although publicly, Apple presents its relationship with AT&T and the other mobile partners as being extremely solid, we know Steve Jobs likes to have options. In this case, we are talking about options on wireless carriers. Not to mention that the theme of this years Macworld is "There is Something in the Air"

While AT&T and Apple have a five year exclusivity deal on voice communications, the wireless spectrum is open game. Sprint or Clearwire could partner with Apple alongside AT&T.

Also, Intel, as one of the major players behind the WiMAX alliance, is making it really easy to put WiMAX into devices with Intel chips including ultramobile PCs. If the Eee PC can put WiMAX into its device with its razor thin margins, it would be an afterthought for Apple.

Apple could even include the functionality now and release it in software updates in the near future (like they did with their 802.11N-draft wireless) when WiMAX deployment is much more spread out.

Apple using WiMAX technology has been a rumor for awhile but nothing has been confirmed by Cupertino.

What has been confirmed is the need for Apple to include some sort of wide area wireless (not just WiFi) to its laptop line. Dell, Lenovo and HP have been including this functionality for years now. While you can buy a 3rd party card that connects to ExpressCard or USB, it is very "unApple" to force users to do this.

Apple needs to build this into their laptops. Whether that wireless comes from AT&T's 3G network or WiMAX (or both) will probably be revealed next week.