The number of mobile device users that do social networking tasks grew rapidly between April 2009 - April 2010, according to data provided by ComScore MobiLens. While the numbers of mobile phone users who used any kind of app increased by almost a third, from 54. 4 million to 69.6 million during that time period, the number of phone users who used mobile apps specifically designed for social networking tripled and then some. Social networking apps headed up growth in all mobile app categories, seeing 240% growth (from 4.3 million users, up to 14.5 million).

Several other app categories also saw growth in the triple digits during the year that just passed, further highlighting the popularity of the app as a way to access mobile content. Second in popularity were news apps (growing from 4.1 million to 9.3 million, or 124%), sports info apps (from 3.6 million to 7.7 million, or 113%). Bank access apps grew by the same amount, and weather applications grew from 8.5 to 18.1 million.

Nearly seventy-three million mobile phone/device users got web access on their device during April of this year, an increase of 31% from the same time period last year. This number closely mirrors application use growth, and social networking sites were the most commonly accessed from mobile device browsers. They grew by 90%, closely followed by bank apps. Online retail sites also saw a large increase in mobile browser access.

78% of mobile phone users used their browser in April of this year, while 80% of those with smartphones used and accessed apps. By comparison, barely 20% of conventional mobile phone users used their browser, and only seventeen percent of that number used an app, social networking or otherwise.