OK, a smart plug may sound snoozy, but stay with us. By inserting one into an existing outlet, you can turn any dumb, non-connected product -- lamps, fans and so on -- into something so much smarter.
For example, plug your Christmas tree lights (or the ones outside) into a WeMo Switch ($39) and turn them on and off with a corresponding app. You'll never have to crawl on the floor or freeze outside again.
There are other smart plugs on the market too, like the iDevices Switch. It's compatible with smart home systems such as the Amazon(AMZN) Echo and Apple(AAPL) HomeKit, so you can control the plug by voice via Alexa and Siri.
