Abstract: A remote invocation device useful in an automobile interior, by way of which advanced functions of a modern mobile telephone handset (i.e., smartphone) can be invoked and carried out via the in-car audio system. The remote invocation device includes wireless BLUETOOTH circuitry that is pairable with a smartphone via a profile different from that with which the smartphone is paired with the in-car audio system. The device has a button that, when pressed, causes a signal to be transmitted to the smartphone to invoke an advanced function, such as a virtual assistant app. Voice commands to, and audio responses by, the smartphone are communicated via the in-car audio system.