I got a kick out of this one, the author found that the EcoPlug uses ESP8266 modules in them. So he replaced the firmware and now the device has alot more ability than it originally did. This reminds me of when folks first started doing openWRT on routers.
More info here
http://thegreatgeekery.blogspot.de/2016/02/ecoplug-wifi-switch-hacking.html
Note they are referenced being in Home Depot in Canada, I haven’t seen these in US based ones yet.