Great to see all the different answers, even from non-4 series owners!
The GlowLight 4 Plus isn't restricted in sideloading limits. Perhaps they assumed users who wanted a bigger screen would sideload comic books that take up more space.
Can someone confirm if GL4e (8 GB model) has a sideload restriction?
I can see that most of us love the buttons (myself included). I agree that it is my favorite feature of any NOOK. I particularly like that the NOOK GlowLight 4 buttons are
consistent (unlike Kobo Sage) and
quieter than others (cf. super clicky and loud Kindle Oasis 3rd Gen).
I am the rare person who regularly used the in-store feature, it seems. Perhaps their product research proved it wasn't a competitive feature and they may release something else soon.