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Throw it on github then, I'd be interested in something that simple.

Interesting. Could you elaborate how the remote, Bing STT, IFTTT, and your Python code interact with one another?

I expect audio and Bing STT are handled by the Python SpeechRecognition library:

https://pypi.python.org/pypi/SpeechRecognition/

Python to IFTTT here (using maker channels):

https://github.com/briandconnelly/pyfttt

And then using the logitech universal remote (harmony remote) from IFTTT:

https://ifttt.com/harmony

Although you can also control a harmony remote directly from python:

https://github.com/jterrace/pyharmony

More about the harmony remote here:

http://www.logitech.com/en-us/harmony-remotes

Exactly this.

What hardware interface are you using? I'm must getting into this myself (using my shiny new Echo for the interface to my homebrewed domestic control service).

The Harmony remote is what you want.

cool! tell us more...