My oldest got a leap pad fridge phonics set for his second birthday. He played with it so much he basically taught himself in a few weeks.
Don't get me wrong, we spent tons of time singing songs, and I'd draw letters for him on paper and with tub paint in the bath, and I read to him at least an hour a day...but I never could have been as repetitive as that noisy toy.
He also learns better with objects to hold and manipulate.