You can learn the codes from an Apple Remote to control your Mac. Either use the supplied support for Front Row / ITunes and Volume. Or get
twistedmelons mira a full featured IR control program with prebuild profiles for 70 application, where you can fine tune what each application does with the gestures.
The Front Row on the new unibody MacBooks Pro seems to be broke (respawns every second) you can replace it with an
older version directly from Apple.
You can then use the Kymera Wand to control everything from Preview / Keynote / iPhoto for presentations, DVD player / ITunes for media stuff but also web browsing etc.