Just as the industry was predicting, Steve Jobs just announced moments ago at Macworld 2008 in San Francisco that Apple is launching online movie rentals.

Engadget reports that Jobs announced that all the major studios are on board: Touchstone, MGM, Miramax, Lions Gate, Fox, WB, Walt Disney, Paramount, Universal, and Sony.

The lead time will be 30 days after DVD release, and you'll be able to watch them anywhere: PCs, Macs, iPods, the iPhone, and Apple TV.

Apple will start with 1,000 movies at the end of February. Users will have 30 days to begin watching a movie they downloaded. Once they start, they have 24 hours to finish it. $2.99 for older movies, $3.99 for new releases.

Live from Macworld 2008: Steve Jobs keynote [Engadget]