With Macworld Expo just around the corner next week in San Francisco, some cool things may be emerging from the software end. According to AppleInsider, iTunes 7.6 has been confirmed as complete and ready for launch in the coming days.

The new version has been confirmed as supporting a new rental service that will let iTunes Store shoppers spend between US$2 and US$5 to download movies from studios such as Walt Disney, Twentieth Century Fox and others. Once downloaded, the movies will last for 24 hours before they expire/become unplayable.

Apple's foray into digital rentals may also be complemented by a move on the opposite end of the spectrum, whereby movie studios participating in the iTunes rental service will also begin shipping physical copies of their movies with iPod-compatible versions included on the same DVD.

Like the rental service, iPod-comptable digital film files that will be included on future DVD discs may also require the presence of iTunes 7.6.

Stay tuned for further details as they emerge and let us know what you think over in the comments and forums.