Progress in colloidal nanochemistry has been tremendous in the last decades. Nowadays a large variety of materials, sizes and shapes are accessible via colloid chemical methods. In the recent past research on colloidal nanocrystals has more and more focused on combining more than one functionality in one hybrid system. Fluorescent nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles and plasmonic nanoparticles are the three most common nanoparticles when looking at the particle functionality. Hence, in this review we summarize the most recent efforts undertaken in order to combine at least two of these properties in a hybrid system. Possible interactions in such hybrid systems are discussed together with possible synergetic effects giving rise to potential applications. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.