RunKeeper launches Breeze, fitness/activity tracking iPhone 5s app with eye-candy UI

Breeze 1.0 for iOS (iPhone screenshot 001)Breeze 1.0 for iOS (iPhone screenshot 002)

RunKeeper has released a new iOS application that counts steps taken and tracks your activity. I know there are now dozens of apps in the App Store.

That being said, RunKeeper is a huge player in fitness and Breeze is brilliantly designed, gamified and available totally free of charge, no in-app purchases required whatsoever.

The software takes advantage of Apple’s M7 motion coprocessor inside the iPhone 5s to track up to seven days worth of activity, even when the app isn’t running and without taking any noticeable hit on your battery life.

Breeze is a free download from the App Store. I’ve included nearly a dozen pretty screenshots and more information right after the break so give the app a whirl and let us know what you think in the comments…

On first-run, the app will require your permission to access your motion data (to revoke access on a per-app basis, visit Settings > Privacy > Motion Activity). The iPhone 5s and iOS 7 tap the outstandingly power efficient M7 chip to count your steps and track your motion without engaging the main (and power-hungry) A7 processor.

The chip saves up to a week’s worth of motion data any compatible app can tap into. As seen below, Breeze was able to retrieve my movement from the past seven days so I immediately had some solid data to work with.

The design is stunning: UI elements are minimalist, the interface is clean and nicely animated and you’ll instantly feel right at home as every option is self-explanatory. If Nike’s M7-optimized Move app used to be the epitome of good design, Breeze has just taken fitness/tracking interfaces to a whole new level.

Breeze 1.0 for iOS (iPhone screenshot 003)Breeze 1.0 for iOS (iPhone screenshot 004)Breeze 1.0 for iOS (iPhone screenshot 005)

As the app amasses info on your activity, you can access a history of your movement to see steps taken on any given day. Realizing average Joes may not necessarily be cognizant of how the M7 chip works, developers included a handy “How’d we get data from before you installer Breeze?” link at the bottom.

Breeze 1.0 for iOS (iPhone screenshot 012)Breeze 1.0 for iOS (iPhone screenshot 011)

Tapping it brings up a message explaining how this technology works. Developers have also made sure to underscore that the M7 chip never tracks location. That’s a nice and much welcomed touch so here’s to hoping that other M7-compatible apps follow suit.

As can be seen on the above screenshots, the app analyzes your performance to determine your spirit animal – I am an impulsive lion, for instance.

Breeze 1.0 for iOS (iPhone screenshot 007)Breeze 1.0 for iOS (iPhone screenshot 009)

You can share your goals and achievements using standard options available in the iOS Share sheet, including posting charts as images to Flickr (which today received an insanely great update).

Breeze 1.0 for iOS (iPhone screenshot 006)Breeze 1.0 for iOS (iPhone screenshot 010)

Similar to other fitness/tracking apps, Breeze lets you set your daily goals, receive notifications when it’s time to get active and more.

The software is thoroughly gamified an effort to make fitness fun: it will promptly highlight your notable activities as they happen, celebrate your achievements and what not.

Here’s a list of key features:

Effortlessly improve your fitness
Being healthier doesn’t have to be hard. Breeze eases you into fitness by setting up intelligent, personalized daily activity targets that are based on your past and grow as you improve. During the day, Breeze helps you stay accountable with smart, real-time status updates on your progress, and clear visibility into how ‘on track’ you are towards your goal.

Make fitness fun
Breeze makes getting fit fun by highlighting your notable activities as they happen, providing interesting context about your daily and historical activity, and celebrating your progress along the way.

Celebrate your progress
Explore your daily and cumulative history from the beginning of your time with Breeze. Keep track of your best days, and develop a deeper understanding of your routines.

Share your success with friends
Don’t go at it alone. Breeze makes it easy to share and compare your epic days, completed goals, and activity profile with friends on Facebook, Twitter, RunKeeper and beyond!

Save your battery
Despite keeping you on track and monitoring your activity levels all day–even with your phone in your pocket–Breeze is smart about using energy and leaves your battery with plenty of charge.

Breeze is available free of charge in the App Store.

As the app was designed with M7 in mind, you’ll need an iPhone 5s to enjoy it.

If you use RunKeeper’s main iOS app, also a free download, you’ll love that it too supports tracking via the M7 chip.