In embodiments of transparent display interaction, a portable device includes a handheld base movably coupled to a display device. The display device includes a display panel system that displays an image, and includes display surfaces through which the image is viewable. The image may appear as being projected into an environment behind the display device and viewable through the display surfaces of the display device. The display device is also configurable to open relative the handheld base to a position that the environment is viewable through the display device.