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In a world full of smart plugs, smart calendars, and smart home assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google, I sometimes think we've lost the whimsy of a little square box found in millions of homes across the globe.

Also: Your smart plug is seriously underutilized: 7 ways I've programmed mine to automate my home

That's right. The wall outlet was once an upgrade that carried homes into a new era, but it's lost its luster behind the long list of smart home gadgets launched in more recent years. However, there are plenty of ways to make your ordinary wall outlets more functional than the obvious intended uses of turning on lights or powering electronics. Here are seven plug-in gadgets that are surprisingly functional and affordable.