The pronto when connected to the PC actually sends the ir commands of the buttons pressed on the emulator. With a couple of utilities this can be used to control the devices Pronto controls, over the phone. The first utility needed is a macro editor like Macro Magic with the ability to record mouse movements. You can create macros on the pronto for the desired task, or to record the sequence of pressing emulator buttons. Then assign a hotkey on the macro. The macro can be invoked by one of the phone answering applications with dtmf recognition.
Record the show you didn't have the chance to program on the vcr or turn on the central heating a little before you get back home...