That crane looks so mint. I'd love to get that to work with my boy but yeah, cost is bad.
Have you heard of Lego's sound bricks? They seem like a neat idea but how "programmable" they are would be interesting. If you could put a bunch together and make a big speaker that would be cool. I suspect not though.
I want to get some of the Lego robotics kits so as to teach Little Wookie about robotics. They're not as easy to find here in NZ as I'd hope.
I've never heard of those Lego sound things, not all that interested to be honest, I prefer the more original stuff rather than the stuff.