I just got a copy of the subscription iPhone App from Draculino which is free to download, I was also given access to the full Training Videos and Structured Curriculum free from his webmaster Justin who has been amazingly helpful.
I am reviewing on an iPhone 4 running IOS 4.1 (8B117).
This is first iPhone app I have seen which uses a subscription basis backed up by a website http://www.draculinobjjtraining.com/
As with all new apps and technologies there are bound to be teething problems and issues so I have taken this into account in this review. It is not the same as reviewing DVD’s, Gi’s or belts as these are all established and should be at that point of perfection, or at least nearing it.
Overview
The App Icon is of course the well known and very strongly positioned Draculino Vampire style bat logo, once you see this you know who it is and the same for the app.
There is no disclaimer at the start of the app, about the risk of the sport and the fact that you take this on yourself and should always be aware but this seems to be something which varies across apps.
When you access the app you get a strong Draculino image and a link to the site which is good strong branding.
The menu like the blue belt app is very well designed showing:
– Closed Guard 
– Half Guard
– Side Control
– Mount
– Rear Mount
– Turtle Guard
– Standing
– Spider Guard
– Open Guard
– Knee on Belly
– Back
– Hand on the Collar Guard
– Outside Hook Guard
– Sit-Up Guard
– Other
The main screen also has little images of each technique along with the description which is a nice touch and gives you a good idea of where the technique is carried out from. This is a point which makes the application stand out initially from others.
The whole thing is set out just as I would want it to be done and is very easy to navigate and use, the fact that the videos are streamed means that you are quicker using this on WiFi but 3G is also a very acceptable speed and the videos do not lag at all.
The videos themselves however are of the very best quality as you would expect from someone who has so embraced the technology. The sound is as good as I have heard on one of these apps and works very well through headphones which I think most people will use when viewing a phone application like this.
Each technique is shown, explained, shown again, then issues and adjustments are looked into before finally showing the technique from all angles. One thing carried over from the Blue Belt App is the bullet point breakdown of the technique and how to do it which is a nice touch before each video. As before each section is as good as you would get from a DVD with the added portability that this format offers you. Couple this with excellent scaling to the screen of an iPhone make it an extremely valuable tool for a BJJ practitioner both new and experienced.
Details
Cost for App : Free for which you see 2 videos
Subscription:
Yearly 2 months free
Training Videos – $250/Year (£155)
Training Videos and Structured Curriculum – $400/Year (£248)
Monthly
Training Videos – $25/Month (£16)
Training Videos and Structured Curriculum – $40/Month (£25)
Plus any data costs
UK Prices correct as of 22/11/2010
So what do you get:
– Currently 365 videos which just keeps growing
– Techniques shot using multiple angles
– Over 20 hours of edited footage
– Both gi and nogi techniques classified into 15 different positions
– Text descriptions accompany each technique highlighting important details
– Full access to the training web site with subscription
Conclusion
It may seem like a lot to outlay on an iPhone app but remember you also get full access too http://www.draculinobjjtraining.com/
This is a massive library of techniques from one of the worlds premier BJJ exponents and covers almost any technique you would want as well as giving you the option to feedback via the website on what you want to see next.
With a download subscription app in the works so you do not have to stream the videos as well as a constantly growing library this is a team who really get the new technology. I doubt you could find anything better from a video tutorial app and the price really is justified as the content will just keep growing, a real must for anyone who can get it.