[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by robertc88

Maybe some hope for non-rooters, not sure still how easy or hard to sideload would be.

Some pretty knowledgable people on this discussion, just weed through it:

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/...01536#U1401536

Good link. A bit sluggish (today?) but there are three nuggets of note:

Developer option is available on normally purchased HD+; we were lucky enough to pick one up without reserving at out local B&N last nite.

On XDA, a BN employee (?) reported that stores already have bootable SD cards that they are using to install software on the HD/HD+ devices.

Options available under Developer settings are:

1) Enable ADB. Debug Mode when USB is connected.
2) Stay Awake (screen will never sleep while charging).
3) Allow mock locations.

There's also a Development Device ID listed.

Also, the HD+ apparently uses MTP to talk to PCs.

It appears sideloading *is* on the table.
Now, there are three ways to sideload. In order of increasing simplicity/ease of use:

1- ADB: you connect to a PC and copy the files through it. Non-trivial. Developer and hacker/power user approch.
2- Copy the file to storage, locate it with a File Manager, and activate the apk. Non-trivial but easy for 99% of the species. (Kindle Fire uses this method.)
3- Download file with a browser and activate it from the notification bar/downloads folder (might need File Manager). Trivial to merely easy.

I would settle for number 2 though 3 would be preferable.

It seems Nook Media is taking a nice middle ground approach; the device ships consumer-level locked but they added a developer option so hackers and power users (who are really very few but they *are* influencers and unpaid marketters) can use ADB to have their way with the hardware. 'Cause once you have ADB you can root, unroot, change defaults, etc.

(Presumably the TERMS OF SERVICE have a clause relieving Nook Media of liability if you activate the Developers option.)

I'm a tad suspicious about the system updating SD cards in the stores. There is a possibility they shipped the HD+ from the factory with a pre-release build and the stores are supposed to flash the release firmware. And that might *not* have Developer options.

This bears monitoring. With the HD+ out in the wild, full reviews will be forthcoming shortly. Looking usable, though.