Google API Explorer http://developers.google.com/apis-explorer/#p/

Public api without key

Directions: https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/directions/json?origin=Toronto&destination=Montreal
Books: https://www.googleapis.com/books/v1/volumes?q=harry+potter
Maps: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/javascript/examples/map-simple (this is a JavaScript API, we will be covering it in more detail later)

Public API with key

1. Create a project: https://console.developers.google.com/project
2. (If you have a project) Menu -> API Manager -> Credentials -> Credentials -> Create Credentials -> API Key
3. (New Project) Click on the project -> API&auth->Public API access-> Create New Key -> Server Key-> Do not enter any IP addresses (any IP allowed) -> You now should get a public API key

Google custom search api

1. From your developers console: https://console.developers.google.com/project
2. API&auth->APIs->Find Custom Search API and turn it on
3. Use your API key you got in step to invoke a GET on: https://www.googleapis.com/customsearch/v1?key=<key goes here>&cx=017576662512468239146:omuauf_lfve&q=lectures
4. More Details: https://developers.google.com/custom-search/json-api/v1/using_rest

Google directions api

1. From your developers console: https://console.developers.google.com/project
2. API&auth->APIs->Find Goole Directions API and turn it on
3. Use your API key you got in step to invoke a GET on https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/directions/json?origin=Toronto&destination=Montreal&key=<API Key>
4. More Details: https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/directions/#DirectionsRequests