Voice-first technology went radically mainstream this week.

For starters, Amazon announced on Thursday a stunningly high number of Alexa-enabled devices.

These include an Echo for cars, a voice-interaction wall clock and an Alexa-equipped microwave that can order popcorn when you run out.

The products are fun. But the real news is that Amazon announced the Alexa Connect Kit, which includes a very low-cost circuit board the size of a quarter that has the electronics necessary to turn any device into an Echo. Expect a tsunami of Alexa-equipped devices next year.

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