Uhhhm, just got going with a smartphone, and would like to know how buying apps on Android Market works, in terms of payment and security. What I mean is, if I log on and click 'buy' on an app, is that taken from the credit on my phone, or what? If not, where is the security?

Go to the google apps website, it has an excellent explaination of what it involved and the security measures taken. In essence as secure as any other online payment gateway.

No quick responses, but worked it out for myself while waiting. For anyone else who is a beginner...

Just having a gmail account is not enough, but a good start as that will also be your password, etc. What you need to go is create as 'Google Checkout' account. Just Google it to get to the right page.

Once that is set up, I believe it is possible to buy from the Android Market, without having to input credit card details into an unsecured phone.

Okay, thanks for that. In the intervening time, I've been, seen, and bought a few apps. I do like the safeguard of being able to get a refund, within 15 minutes, if the app doesn't work on a particular phone.

I use a prepay visa from o2 with my phone. I throw a few quid on it for buying stuff on the market and thus no great loss if someone tries to steal my card number. That's not to say I don't think Google isn't secure... just that I'm paranoid.

I feel secure enough, as long as the little padlock icon appears, and of course, I'm dealing with a company that has a good reputation to uphold.