Something better than a six second video, a 140-character post, or an instant picture is coming to social media – better because it combines the ideas of existing social media outlets and puts them into one app. This app is called Trio. Released on March 4^th, Trio is a fun, interactive, and creative app that allows users to use Instagram posts, gifs, and Vines to create their own video. There are also multiple songs to choose from to play in the background and movie clips from The Notebook, Finding Nemo, and other popular movies that are allowed to be incorporated into your video. Trio takes all of our favorite aspectsof Instagram, Vine, and Giphy and molds them into one app.

How the App Works:

After going on to the App Store and downloading “Trio: Media mashups with your friends,” users log in to their Facebook accounts or set up their own accounts and usernames. After Trio gives the user a tutorial, the magic begins. Click on either the photo, video, or gif button to select the first few seconds of your Trio. If the user clicks on the photo first, then there are plentiful options to choose from: Instagram photos from any account (celebrity or friends), your own photo album, or taking a photo through your device’s camera.  If the user clicks video, the world of Trio allows the selection of movie clips from movies in a variety of genres, from action to romance to comedy and more. The video selection also allows the user to use Vines, their own movies, or recordings from their phone. If the user clicks gif, there are different categories of gifs to choose from, with ten or more gifs to choose from in each category.

The Trio user continues this process until they feel they are done with their Trio. Then the user picks a song to have playing in the background. The songs range from Ed Sheeran to Zac Brown Band to Fall Out Boy. The endless amount of options allows Trio users to think outside the box and use their creativity. After the song is selected, users can caption the final product, use any hashtags they want, and post it on Trio as well as send the link to their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Let’s say you’re really hungry while making a Trio, so you select a gif of someone eating food, then use the photo option to go on to Instagram, find your favorite food account, and select a few of those delicious-looking snapshots. You might choose “All About that Bass” by Megan Trainer to play in the background. Trios have infinite possibilities, ranging from being lighthearted and funny, like the example above, to more serious, like a love-themed Trio with clips from The Notebook and the song “All of Me” by John Legend.

The Trio app was created to allow teenagers to freely express their love for mashups. Unlike other apps, Trio does not make users feel like they must social media approval solely by showcasing their “perfect” lives. Instagram and Twitter are all about the likes, favorites, and retweets, whereas Trio is about the fun of putting together a creative product. Trio does not exploit the self-absorbed society that our generation has created; rather, it creates a fun, safe environment where kids can create funny, appropriate Trios.

People may wonder what Trio stands for or where it came from, and the answer stems from the idea of three options to a Trio: video, photo, or gif. But according Silicon Valley CEO Misha Leybovich, Trio stands for more than just that.

“Trio stands for you, your friends, and the world. It’s more about the social media experience,” said Leybovich. The user creates the Trio, shares it with friends, and then can share it with the world.

Leybovich came up with the concept of Trio about ten years ago, and throughout the years, the idea evolved until just last year when the app itself began forming. Leybovich had always been a lover of creative mashups, and when other people began to recognize this trend, he jumped on the idea of Trio.

“It’s a win-win for everyone,” said Leybovich. “Consumers are able to use their favorite movie clips and songs, and the original owners get credit for it, too. From day one, we have really appreciated the original work.”

A first-time user may be skeptical that Trio illegally obtained the movie clips or the songs, but this is not the case, as the app gives credit to the original owners for every piece that is used. There are links set up that show where the clip or gif came from, giving the first owner the appreciation and credit they deserve.

Now free on the App Store, Trio creates mashups, but also creates laughs, smiles, and good memories with your friends. Be a part of the trend and download it today. Send your feedback to [email protected] .