[Flirc affected by Xbox One Kinect]

I was trying to use the Xbox One's kinect to control XBMC by programming the flirc to accept commands sent from a comcast dvr remote, since that's what the Xbone is currently setup to control. Couldn't get it to work, experienced the same issue as OP. 

[So... any thoughts on XBOX ONE and its built-in IR Blaster?]

I just ordered a FLIRC so I could try this myself, using the Xbox One's voice controlled Kinect IR blaster to control XBMC running on an Ouya plugged into the HDMI passthrough. I'm going to be running my live TV through XBMC as well using Myth.tv, so this set-up does make sense, although I agree with the OP that XBMC is a superior interface to just accessing files through the xbox itself.