Microsoft is introducing a new online music service that uses the company’s Xbox brand, replacing the previous Zune branding. It’ll appear as part of an update to Xbox games consoles from Tuesday and will also be available on Windows 8 devices when the new OS launches.

Xbox Music will include a free music streaming service, a subscription service and an online music shop.

LG Electronics is launching a beta version of its LG Cloud service, enabling users to enjoy photos and videos across the ‘three screens’ of Android smartphones, PCs and smart TVs.

Content is streamed in real time without the need to download it to the device.

Video-on-demand service provider Voddler has announced the world’s first movie streaming service for smartphones using Dolby Digital Plus audio. It’s currently available for a number of Nokia Symbian devices and is initially being offered in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.

Dolby Digital Plus audio offers cinematic surround sound with Voddler’s streamed films.

Film and TV streaming service Netflix has launched in the UK and Ireland. It offers online access to television programmes and films via a wide range of devices, including tablets and mobile phones as well as computers, games consoles and internet-connected TVs.

The service currently costs £5.99 a month with a one-month free trial.

Mark Bridge writes:

As 2011 draws to a close, many of us start looking towards 2012 and wondering what’ll be happening in the mobile phone industry. Here at The Fonecast we’ve invited a handful of industry experts and business leaders to offer us their thoughts about the coming year.

Today’s podcast contains analysis and insight from Hans Eriksson, Steve Litchfield, Dr Windsor Holden, Dr Mark Smith and Jack Wraith MBE.