# DREA: a bedtime audio story app for families, built and run by ODEL

> How ODEL built DREA, an iPhone app with narrated bedtime audio stories, child and pet profiles and bedtime reminders, with a Capacitor client and a Node.js story service.

DREA is an iPhone app of narrated bedtime audio stories and fairy tales that parents play as part of their child's bedtime routine, designed, built and published by ODEL. Parents add child and pet profiles during the welcome experience so stories adapt to their child, then use a simple library for repeat listening, bedtime reminders and a Home Screen shortcut that starts a story. The client is built with Capacitor and React, and a Node.js service with Google Gemini and OpenAI generates stories, with a separate admin panel. It sells weekly, monthly and yearly plans with a 3-day trial on the yearly plan, plus extra adventures. It shows how ODEL builds an AI-backed content app with a backend for a family audience.

## The problem

Parents want calm, narrated stories that fit their child's bedtime routine. Many sleep apps are written for adults or centre on meditation. DREA focuses on bedtime stories that adapt to the child.

## What ODEL built

- Narrated bedtime audio stories
- Fairy tale and fantasy themes
- Child and pet profiles in the welcome experience
- Simple library for repeat listening
- Bedtime reminders
- Home Screen shortcut to start a story

## Technology

- **App**: Capacitor 7 and React 19
- **Backend**: Node.js Express service with Google Gemini (@google/genai) and OpenAI for story generation, in Docker
- **Media**: sharp, Remotion video and ffmpeg.wasm
- **Admin**: Separate admin panel
- **Purchases**: @capgo/native-purchases (StoreKit)
- **Native features**: Local notifications, camera, share and in-app review

## Launch and growth

- Live on the App Store for iPhone (iOS 15.0 or later)
- Store listing in English
- Version 1.0.3 released 2026-08-21 with a new welcome experience, child and pet profiles, a 3-day trial on the yearly plan, shortcuts and bedtime reminders
- Free download with Weekly, Monthly and Yearly Premium plans and an extra adventures pack

## What we learned

- AI story generation runs on a server, so keys, costs and content checks stay off the device. A client AI feature should be scoped with its backend and running costs.
- Apple's guideline 5.1.2(i) requires disclosure and explicit permission before personal data goes to third-party AI, which matters when profiles describe a child.
- A family app aimed at parents has different store rules from a Kids Category app; deciding which one you are building comes before design.

Product page: https://www.odel.dev/app/drea

Start a project: https://www.odel.dev/services#start (form) or info@odel.dev. ODEL quotes each project after a short discovery call; it does not publish fixed prices.

Page: https://www.odel.dev/work/drea