RunKeeper is amongst the most popular iOS fitness apps and it has welcomed 2013 with a new interface, improved social sharing features, and a few other tweaks.

While the App Store has many run-management apps to serve the more active iOS users, RunKeeper is constantly featured on the iTunes Top 10 free apps. People seem to be getting along better with this app than with others of a similar nature, and with 14 million users validating its popularity, RunKeeper is one of the best iPhone fitness apps around.

Now, with the onset of a brand new year, a vast majority of users have set new resolutions and made all sorts of promises to take better care of themselves in 2013. Health-related goals usually top New Year's resolutions, and the new version of RunKeeper aims to help users more and make it easier to stick to their fitness goals.

What's New?

The most obvious change that version 3.0 brings is the completely overhauled interface. Instead of the functional, but somewhat bland interface from version 2.0, the new one looks more elegant, appealing, and familiar. It may look even more familiar for Instagram users, as the updated RunKeeper iOS app sports an Instagram-like toolbar with five icons at the bottom of the screen, allowing for quick switching between relevant areas. Unlike the Instagram toolbar, however, this one has the icons labeled with text, so users know at a glance just what each icon does. The new app looks clean overall and it keeps the tools, tracking for the next activity, and other such important things conveniently at hand, front and center.

Another notable enhancement in version 3.0 is improved support for snapping and sharing photos in-app, making it easier to boast new accomplishments via Facebook or Twitter. Also, users can now subscribe to RunKeeper Elite in-app for $19.99 per year, which in turn will allow them to enable live tracking from the Start Screen. In other words, this feature enables one's followers to get real-time updates, with progress neatly tracked on a map. Moreover, developer FitnessKeeper also promises better tracking accuracy for iOS 6 users.

Additionally, setting and managing goals is another popular RunKeeper feature. Users can set goals for running a certain distance, losing a certain amount of weight, finishing a particular race, and so on. RunKeeper will keep track of the user's progress and provide encouragement along the way like a personal coach. The app also tracks one's personal records (PRs), and lets users choose from a slew of preset training plans, including Beginner 5K or Running 4 Fat Loss.

RunKeeper 3.0 is available for free from the App Store, and an update to the Android version is on its way as well.