Mobile is the fastest growing sector when it comes to the crowded digital playground, so much so that we could probably run a number crunch on the sector every week.

So in the months since our last mobile report a lot has changed. Here are the highlights from the monolith.

1 billion

There are now over 1.4 billion smartphones in existence.

The average US user spends two hours every day using their mobile device. That's almost 58,000 hours over the average lifetime.

Mobile takeover

A quarter of all online searches occur via mobile.

2014 is predicted to be the year mobile overtakes desktop, as smartphone prices fall and network speeds increase. 

Shop till you drop

As many as 80 per cent of shoppers now use their smartphones to shop.

Close to half (48 per cent) use search to shop, while 33 per cent begin by browsing branded websites. Just over a quarter use branded apps.

However 57 per cent of consumers won't recommend brands without mobile-friendly sites.

Women win

Women are more active on mobile than men.

The average male user spends 29 hours and 32 minutes on their mobile, compared to 30 hours and 58 minutes for females.

Mobile dollars

In 2012 US marketers spent US$4.4 billion on mobile advertising. This doubled to US$8.5 billion in 2013. 

By 2017 this number is expected to quadruple to US$31.1 billion.

Toilet humour

To end, the last time anyone asked 75 per cent of US consumers admit taking their mobile to the bathroom.

Some studies claim the other 25 per cent are lying.

If you enjoyed this article then subscribe FREE to the twice weekly SMK Digital Bulletin, click here now or visit www.smk.net.au/subscribe.

Also, click here download a FREE SMK Insghts Program. This FREE programs features 131 must-know social stats covering Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram. Keep on top of the latest social facts and figures relating to usage rates, demographics, spending trends, content performance and best practice benchmarks. A MUST for every marketer!