[vsareto]

It's in the carousel on that page, but here's an interview with Timothy Peel, who did those for The Expanse and also Mr. Robot. They talk about it a bit:

https://www.pushing-pixels.org/2016/01/21/a-window-into-anot...

I think they'd rather bring you into the world by showing the UI and interactions while also showing the actors. With a opaque device, we know they're using it, but we don't get to see any detail about it. And a camera angle behind the actor that shows the UI can be awkward. So I think it's really just a compromise to be able to show the UIs, interaction, and the actors from the front at the same time.

I wouldn't ever use one for privacy, and I think the only realistic way transparent devices would be useful is if they tint the glass so it's maybe 50% opaque.

[dmitriid]

The Expanse is also one of the few shows where phones (and tech in general) feels like characters actually use it daily. Cracked screens, casual gestures, they even just throw phones on tables and what not.