We all know women are very different from men. But a new study finds that the Venus-Mars analogy extends into the digital sphere as well.

"We sought to answer the burning questions keeping brand managers and advertisers up at night: How are women in the digital age different from women of past generations?" said Beth Uyenco, global research director of Microsoft's advertiser and publisher solutions. "How can brands leverage digital media to deepen relationships with them?"

Microsoft Advertising; Ogilvy, Chicago; and Mindshare surveyed 800 women to find out. So what do marketers need to know about these "Digital divas?" In general, these women share the following key characteristics:

• Most women view devices such as cell phones and computers as "extensions of themselves."

• The average digital diva has 171 contacts across e-mail, social networking and cell phone address books.

• More than half of the women surveyed never unplug from their digital devices, even when sleeping.

• Word-of-mouth is powerful with this demographic. Eighty-six percent pass along interesting "finds" to others.

• They view tools such as rewards, loyalty cards, cell phones, online coupons, TiVo and DVR to be "blessings in their lives."

• On average, women have 5.8 "screens" and 12 devices.

• If forced to, they would "throw out" their TV or cell phone first, with only 11% saying they'd dump their personal laptop.

• 85% said e-mail was the most important tool.

• Moms output more than twice the average U.S. adult when it comes to publishing, maintaining or updating a blog or Web page.

• They like to shop. In fact, almost a quarter (22 percent) shop at least once per day.